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

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!
I'm a morning person, have been my whole life over 30 yrs. but I've worked nocs successfully. When I work nocs I take care of myself. Here's what I do: I prepare for work on my days off by making meals ahead of time, doing laundry and ironing ahead of time, etc. I don't do any major activities during the day when I'm going to work overnight. I try to sleep 5-8 hours before work. I set 2 alarms so I can make sure I wake up on time. I have everything ready so I can get up an hour before I have to leave.Eat protein daily. I'm eat vegan most of the time and so I have added eggs to my daily intake. I eat a small meal before I go to work with decent protein, complex carbs, fiber and vegetables. I start drinking 1 strong coffee before and my shift and finish it during my shift. I bring a zero calorie energy drink with me. Sometimes I use it sometimes I don't. I do not usually eat another large meal at work.but I bring one just in case I get hungry. I pack high protein snacks. I also bring a large bottle of water. I don't drink caffeine when I am about 3 hours from getting off.When I get home, I watch netflix and eat something light like cold cereal with soy milk or about half a regular meal of leftovers. Then I sleep. It's hard for me to sleep during the day but I take some Benadryl and try to sleep 5-8 hours. I turn off my phone so no one can disturb me. I try not to do anything in between noc shifts during the day before I go back to work except eat, sleep and prepare food for my next shift. I can sometimes stay up after I get off. I think it's better to sleep right before going to work. But I set up my schedule so I can sleep when I get off on most days. Hope this makes sense!

Thanks, sounds like good advice! Were you able to sleep at night &/or enjoy your days off? Another thing I would be worried about is getting my dog to tolerate my day time sleeping schedule. Even when I work 2nds and part of third, he likes to go outside early in the morning --- he will watch me and bark till I get up!

My dogs will sleep all night in bed with my husband, and then sleep all day in bed with me. No problem. If there is a human sleeping in bed, they are down for a nap!

Many people that function well and enjoy night shift are "night people" anyway. Like myself, even when I haven't been on nights I always find myself staying up late because I enjoy being awake at night. Most people after a couple of weeks or so can adjust pretty well. If you only have a dog and no kids or spouse to have to schedule around then you'll be fine. Hardest part is when you have a few days off and want to be up in the day time so you have to flip your sleeping schedule. I usually do this by just sleeping 3 or 4 hours my first day off then going to bed earlier that night.

Quote from Nola009Thanks, sounds like good advice! Were you able to sleep at night &/or enjoy your days off? Another thing I would be worried about is getting my dog to tolerate my day time sleeping schedule. Even when I work 2nds and part of third, he likes to go outside early in the morning --- he will watch me and bark till I get up!

Hi Mr. Murse, No kids, just a husband and a (spoiled) dog that won't let anybody besides me take him outside or on a walk if I am around (sleeping or not). I worry more about getting my beloved dog to deal with a serious change in schedule since we don't speak the same language. I can easily explain the situation to my husband, but not my dog...

Esme, Ha! The sign thing is a really good one. I want to borrow that !!! I have a territorial pom, so mine might have to say something about ferocious ankle biting instead of "large dog" though.

I worked 8 hour night shifts with a 10 minute commute for 12 years. It wasn't easy, but it was 'doable'. Then I did 12 hours shifts with an hour commute and I made 12 months. It just about killed me. No matter what anyone says, night shifts take a hard toll on your health in the long run. Good luck!

Quote from Delicate FlowerMy dogs will sleep all night in bed with my husband, and then sleep all day in bed with me. No problem. If there is a human sleeping in bed, they are down for a nap!

Quote from Mr. MurseMany people that function well and enjoy night shift are "night people" anyway. Like myself, even when I haven't been on nights I always find myself staying up late because I enjoy being awake at night. Most people after a couple of weeks or so can adjust pretty well. If you only have a dog and no kids or spouse to have to schedule around then you'll be fine. Hardest part is when you have a few days off and want to be up in the day time so you have to flip your sleeping schedule. I usually do this by just sleeping 3 or 4 hours my first day off then going to bed earlier that night.

I was close to 50 when I started working nights.You have to train people not to call you during the day and maybe stay up really late on the days you are off. It can be done but it is hard.

I work nights (1900-0730) and hate it, but don't really have a choice at this point in my career. A day shift position probably won't be available for me for another year or more due to the number of more senior nurses on my shift who want to switch. Do I hate it enough to take another position elsewhere with more work or less pay? No. In only 7 months has it affected my family life, social life, and personal health? Yes. I have pulled a few day shifts (0700-1900) and oriented on day shift, so I'm aware of the difference in business and crowdedness. Diagnostics, rounds, meals, family, etc. While I do feel this additional work (not to mention the decrease in my paycheck) I would say that the naturality of day shift is highly preferable to nights.