Shift work and dating

I met my husband just prior to entering nursing school through community theater. I had tried the online scene and failed miserably (eharmony in particular was ugh). A very serious relationship I had ended and I re-discovered community theater shortly after as an outlet for work stress - I never expected to find a partner there as I tend to meet a lot of awesome gay men. But I do a lot of backstage work and apparently the single, straight guys dug that. Or at least the one I married!

OP, I also tried meetup, which while I didn't find a partner, I did find a great group of folks to hang out with that had common interests. In my area, there was a also a singles-volunteer group - for folks that love volunteering their time and were single. I went a few times, met some great folks. No matches, but a ton of other people left the group after they paired up. I also tried a 203 & 30s group at my church, which was fun! A few couples I know came from that group. I'm not a partier or a big drinker, but I did love the art of face-to-face conversation and the feeling of that physical connection, something I can never gauge online. So I sought out in person things I enjoyed.

But I do know several very happy folks that met online - including one friend that posted on Craigslist as a dare when shift work (she's an OT) was killing her social life. Her roommate at the time dared her to post a "fun" post looking for a date. She laughed at the terrible responses she got, but then they was one guy she talked to via email for 6 months. They finally met (in a very public place - she was paranoid with a safety plan) and have been together for 8 years.

Ugh, I have the same exact problem! But, I have tried a dating website on and off for a few years with no success. I wish there were more healthcare networking..it would be nice to meet someone that understands my lifestyle.

Well I have a date coming up from online. Nervous out of my mind!

How did it go?