Travel Nurse Interviews: How to Prepare, Common Questions, and Expert Tips
Interviewing for a travel nurse position is not nearly as scary as it may seem. Having been through dozens of travel nurse interviews, I can assure you that they are usually quite casual and completed over a 10-20-minute phone call. However, it’s still important to be prepared and know what to expect to nail the interview and secure the job.
How to Prepare for Travel Nurse Interviews
Anticipate a Call
Once your recruiter submits you for jobs, you could receive a phone call for an interview at any time—from an hour after submission to three weeks later. The person calling to interview you will be the unit manager or someone from the hospital’s hiring team.
Answering the phone call is so important because there are likely multiple applicants for the position, so a missed call could mean a missed opportunity. Even if you are busy at the time of the call, answer it to explain why you can’t talk at the moment and set a time to chat later on.
Research the Facility
Do a quick search to figure out the basics of the facility, including trauma level, number of beds, core mission, and values. Take note of keywords in their mission statements and add them to your pitch. It shows the hiring manager that you align with their values and care enough to research the facility.
Formulate Your Pitch
Be prepared for the dreaded “tell me about yourself” that inevitably comes up in every interview ever. I promise if you put thought and effort into writing out an elevator pitch, you’ll perform much better than just winging it.
Your pitch should be concise (30-60 seconds) and include:
- Introduction
- Background and Experience
- Expertise: Specialties, skills, strengths
- What Sets You Apart: Awards/achievements
- Call to Action: invite the interviewer to ask questions/discuss further
Example Pitch: “My name is Kendall, and I have been working as a registered nurse for eight years, with nearly four of those years dedicated to travel nursing. I have worked in a variety of facilities, from rural community hospitals to large Level 1 trauma teaching hospitals across the US and Canada. As a highly adaptable traveler, I have had the opportunity to work in various specialties, including Med/Surg, Ortho, Psych, Emergency, PCU, Trauma, Burn Units, and Oncology, all broadening my experience and skill set. I am a quick learner, highly proficient, and a team player. I have charge nurse experience, mentor students and new grads, and frequently train new hires. I have been asked to extend at every facility I’ve worked at and have glowing references from coworkers, charge nurses, and managers. My efforts and dedication to patient care have been recognized with Shining Star Awards and multiple nominations for Daisy Awards. I’m excited to discuss how my skills and experience align with this hospital’s needs.”
Interview Questions to Expect
After delivering your pitch, expect your interviewer to have follow-up questions about your experience and expertise. The most common travel nurse interview questions to prepare for are:
- Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.
- Can you describe a time of how you handled a high-stress situation?
- Tell me of a time you dealt with a difficult patient or family member and how you handled it.
- How would your coworkers describe you?
- Tell me about a time when you had to advocate for a patient.
- What do you do when you’re unfamiliar with a policy or procedure?
- Provide an example of when you went above and beyond for a patient.
- Clinical Scenarios: expect a clinical question or two based on the specialty of the job. For example, for an ED RN position, you might be asked something along the lines of “A patient comes into the ED complaining of chest pain, what do you do?” Med/Surg units, could ask something like “Your post-op patient has not voided in 6 hours, what are your next steps?” or “You walk into your patient’s room to find them diaphoretic and SOB, how do you react?”. Think of common everyday scenarios you face working as a nurse in your department.
Interview Questions to Ask
Remember, you are interviewing the facility just as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure to ask the appropriate questions to ensure the job is the right fit and to set yourself up for success.
Consider asking the following questions:
- What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
- What assistive staff is available? CNAs, unit secretaries, IV team, wound care team, etc.
- Can you describe the orientation process for travel nurses at your facility?
- How does the facility handle scheduling?
- Do you require nurses to wear a specific scrub color?
- Are travelers expected to float to other units?
- What type of charting system do you use?
- Do you have free parking?
- Do you offer housing to travelers? Some hospitals own condos that they rent to temporary staff at a reasonable rate, often within proximity to the hospital.
Additional Tips to Nail Your Travel Nurse Interview
- Keep calm and focus on your breath. Take an extra second to pause and think before you speak. Speak slowly, clearly, confidently, and authentically.
- Take the interview in a quiet, private environment.
- Write down your pitch and reference it during your interview.
- Take notes during the call! Keeping notes on each interview will help you compare opportunities to find the best fit for you.
- Write down your interviewer’s name and contact information.
- Thank your interviewer for their time at the end of the call. If you are excited about the job and think it will be a good fit, you may express your interest. There is no need to disclose if you are not interested in the position or still unsure.
- Do not discuss pay with your interviewer. Unit managers have very little power when it comes to this. Your recruiter is your person to negotiate the pay package with, ideally before submitting to the job. For more information on negotiating, grab my free guide below!
- Let your recruiter know that you’ve interviewed and share your thoughts on the position. Any questions or concerns not addressed during the interview should be brought to your recruiter’s attention – they are responsible for finding answers for you.
Travel nurse interviews don’t have to be daunting. With proper preparation, confidence, and a clear understanding of what to expect, you’ll be ready to ace your interviews and find the perfect travel nursing assignment. Once you land the job, it’s time to shift your focus to moving to your new location and preparing for your first week as a travel nurse. Best of luck – you got this!