So unsure,,,

Lots of people with kids work nights. It's extremely do-able. Sometimes moreso than working days. Research how they are doing it.

The idea of a "dream job" will go away fast once you are actually working. There is no such animal. Whatever has been created in your mind is largely impressions and falsehoods based on hopes more than reality. I would take the position that most works for your family.

A lot depends on why the "dream job" is your dream and exactly what it is. Is it in a specialty population that you really want to work with? Is it a specialty that is difficult for a nurse to get into? If so, I would take the night shift in the unit with the population that you want to work with. Try to make the nights work for a little while. You don't have to stay in that particular facility forever. Get a little experience working in the specialty that interests you -- and then you'll be in a position to get a different job in that same specialty.

If you don't take the opportunity to break into your chosen specialty now, you may never get the chance -- and spend the rest of your career wondering "What if?" You may find yourself with fantasies about how wonderful your career might have been if only you were working in that dream specialty ... instead of having settled for a job in a specialty that you don't particularly care for.

Take the "dream job" and discover what it is really like. Your experience might confirm that the specialty really is a good fit for you -- and with just a little experience, you'll be able to find another job with better hours. But you also might find out you don't like it as much as you thought you would -- and that's not a bad thing to learn. You'll be able to move on without comparing every future job with the "dream" that you didn't give a real try.

1 hour ago, PrettyInPink98 said:

the night job is maternity. And it is hard to get into it seems. But I was told I would be on nights for several years.... and I have a young children and want to have more. I just don’t see how I will be able to do that considering my spouse works first shift. But your are right that regret will always be there.

So give the nights a try and see how it goes. If you can't make it work, then switch. But don't spend the rest of your life regretting your career choice because you wouldn't give an inconvenient schedule a try. Once you get a little experience, you'll have options. Maybe not at that same hospital ... but somewhere.