I am starting a new job on Tuesday night and am looking for some advise on how to prepare for the change in sleep pattern. ie: what do i do Monday night / Tuesday day so that i can get through Tuesday night with out nodding of at the wheel after that no problem as i will be sleeping days working nights regularly its the first shift that concerns me. Any advise would be gratefully appreciated.
What i used to do was go to bed late the night before, have about 5-6 hours kip then try and have a couple of hours sleep in the afternoon before going to work. Oh and don’t forget the red bull ( other brands are available) 
Switch all phones off when you go to bed.
Sew a black-out liner on the inside of your curtains.
A good nights sleep on Monday night, as said elsewhere if you can get a couple of hours before you start on Tuesday it will help.
It’s not Tuesday night you need worry about but Thursday and Friday nights. Try and get a regular sleep pattern going of at least 5 hours, either when you finish or just before you start, if at home make sure you don’t get disturbed.
On days off keep to a similar pattern staying up later and having a lie in in the morning.
If you start feeling tired during your shift don’t fight it but pull over for a quick kip, 15 minutes is often enough to refresh you. Any longer and you fall into a deeper sleep which is difficult to rouse from.
I would avoid Red Bull and other such stimulants as they will keep you awake after your shift has finished, if really pushed I found a black coffee and a Mars bar helped but again they’d keep me awake after my shift