How can I tell if I'm cut out for night shift

[Nola009]

I see that plenty of people on here say they couldn't get used to night shift, and that it was pretty much terrible for them. I have worked 8 hr shifts on nights (different type of work though) for short periods of time. When it was over, it never took me very long to get back on aa awake by day and asleep by night "normal" schedule. Would this mean that nights are not for me? I know that I will probably have to take a night shift job, but I'm debating on wether to apply for part time and see how it goes /tough it out, or just jump in and try for a full time one! If you have survived working nights, could you please share what your typical schedule was in regards to eating, sleeping, and days off? Thanks!

[Nola009]

I'm a new night shift nurse... Honestly I adjusted pretty quickly. I try to group my days together so I won't have to switch back and forth between days & nights. I usually do 3 nights, off 4 or work 2, off 3, work 2. Also I try to only sleep from like 9-1 on the morning of my first off day so I won't be up all night that night. I occasionally take a Benadryl to help me sleep on days before my first night back to work, but usually I only need a 2-3 nap before the first night back. As far as eating schedule, on days I work I eat when I wake up around 4pm, eat around 1am @ work, and then eat about 7-8 that am before I go to bed! Lots of snack in between & work too tho and ice water :)

:up:Sounds like a good system... do you drink caffeine too ? If so, when?

[CardiacKittyRN]

It's been working so far! I usually drink a small redbull at the beginning of my shift but other than that no.. I have Interstitial cystitis so coffee & soda cause me more pain than their worth! I haven't had either in almost a year.. But the rest my floor drinks coffee religiously lol