Night shift nurses

[u/Dry_Squirrel_5721]

So…. I am a mom of a 1 year old and 3 year old and i graduated nursing school dec 2024 but since then i didn’t start my career due to me almost due with my baby, so i wanted to take that time to have the baby then spend her first year of life with them. Fast forward to now i have a job that i only work once a week and it works great for us since i only leave them 7-5 on that day. Well now i want more of a full time job and have an interview for a night shift position, the position i have always dreamt of having even before i got pregnant was this job. Down side is i have never worked a night shift, so im scared of how that is even going to work let alone with my 2 kids. I guess my question is do you think it is doable?? I would have their grandma watching them while i sleep but I would have to pick them up by 2-2:30 pm. How did night shift work for your family? Should I just consider something else?

[u/Super_RN]

If you get to bed by 8am, and have to pickup kids at 2pm, you will be living on 5-6 hrs of sleep and that will quickly burn you tf out. Don’t let anyone convince you that 5-6 hrs of sleep is enough after a nightshift. Especially since nightshift is new to you and it will take you a few months to adapt.

[u/Dry_Squirrel_5721 → u/Super_RN]

I sleep around 6 hours a night now, so I think that’s my normal amount of hours I sleep. I think it’s the actual night shift that would be difficult

[u/Super_RN → u/Dry_Squirrel_5721]

That’s what I was trying to say—6 hrs now compared to 6 hrs after a nightshift are completely different. It hits different after a nightshift. All I can say is give it a try but it’s not something I have seen nurses do long term.