Any tips for someone working 3rd shift??

[RainDog]

Lots of good advice here. I've been doing the 3rd shift thing for 5 years and 2nd shift for about 6 before that. I have found that you really never get 100% used to it. At the hospital we just got a new batch of GN's (graduate nurses) and they all ask us this same question. Everyone is different so you just have to try things out until you find what works for you. One piece of advice that i definately agree with is go to bed later and wake up later. I get home around 8 am and go to bed around 10 or 11, then get up around 5 pm. I cant even sleep 8 hours anymore. If I get 8 or more hours its too much sleep for me and Im even more tired. One thing to warn you against, beware of smoking. Maybe you are a smoker so it doesn't matter. But I did not smoke until I started working 3rd and I only smoke when I work. I work 3 12 hour shifts a week and I go through almost 2 packs in those 3 days. My days off I dont smoke even one cigarette. Lastly, drink lots of water.

[guardian]

I worked rotating shifts for about 12 years as an airline mechanic. 4 weeks days, 4 weeks afternoons (4-12pm) and 4 weeks midnights. The hardest part was dealing with days off. As the others have mentioned, you never completely adapt but you can get comfortable. Regardless of the shift I was on, I found that if I could replicate my normal sleep pattern I was ok. Wake up, have a shower, get something to eat and go to work. When you get home, stay up just like normal. Do your shopping or banking or whatever needs doing that day. Then go to bed, wake up and go to work. One more tip... I blanked off the windows in my room so it was dark - that helped a lot.