Stayin alert on the night shift!!?

coffee- it has about 3-4 times the caffiene that Mountian Dew and the green goodness is double what Coke is. Fresh apples are reported to help alertness in times such as this. Try sleeping in a room that is in complete darkness, use cardboard wrapped in foil for window covers and cover other sources of light. earplugs might help you as well block out the sounds of the normal day. These things can really keep you from getting a good, restful sleep even if you are asleep for 8 hours as you say. Try those and with a little luck you'll have a better time of things at night.