Travel Nurse Interviews: How to Prepare, Common Questions, and Expert Tips
Travel nurse interviews are usually much more relaxed than traditional nursing interviews. In most cases, a travel nurse interview is a quick 10–20 minute phone call with a unit manager or someone from the hospital’s hiring team. While the process is typically casual, being prepared can make a huge difference in landing the contract.
Having completed dozens of travel nurse interviews myself, I’m sharing exactly how to prepare, what questions to expect, and expert tips to help you secure the job.
How to Prepare for a Travel Nurse Interview
Anticipate a Call
Once your recruiter submits your travel nurse resume to job openings, 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 multiple candidates could be competing for the same position – so a missed call could mean a missed opportunity. If you’re busy at the time of the call, answer briefly and schedule a better time to talk.
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. All hospitals can be easily looked up on The American Hospital Directory. 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.
How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Travel Nurse Interview
Be prepared for the dreaded “tell me about yourself” that inevitably comes up in every interview. Taking the time to prepare an elevator pitch will help you sound much more confident than trying to wing it.
Your elevator 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 Elevator 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.”
Common Travel Nurse Interview Questions
After delivering your pitch, expect the 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 Scenario Questions
Expect a clinical question or two based on the specialty of the job. For example:
ED:
“A patient presents with chest pain. What are your first steps?”
Med/Surg:
“Your post-op patient has not voided in six hours. What do you do?”
Think of common everyday scenarios in your department that you face as a nurse.
Questions to Ask During a Travel Nurse Interview
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.
Expert 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.
- Verify that your nursing licenses are verifiable through Nursys.
- 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 the 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. Read my guide on How to Negotiate Travel Nurse Pay for more on this.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Nurse Interviews
What do nurse managers look for in travel nurse interviews?
Managers want nurses who are adaptable, confident, and clinically competent. Because travel nurses receive shorter orientations, hospitals look for nurses who can integrate quickly into the unit.
What questions are asked in travel nurse interviews?
Most travel nurse interviews include a mix of general, behavioural, and clinical questions. Common examples include “Tell me about yourself,” “How do you handle conflict with coworkers?” and scenario-based questions related to patient care. Managers ask these questions to evaluate your clinical competence, communication skills, and ability to integrate quickly into a new team.
Do all travel nurse jobs require an interview?
Not always. Some facilities rely on your resume, references, and recruiter screening rather than conducting a formal interview. However, many hospitals still prefer a quick call to assess personality fit and confirm your experience before extending an offer. I’ve been offered the job without an interview four times in my travel nursing career.
What should travel nurses ask during their interview?
Travel nurses should ask questions about patient ratios, orientation, scheduling, floating policies, and charting systems. These details help you determine whether the assignment will be a good fit and whether the unit provides adequate support. Asking thoughtful questions also shows the hiring manager that you are serious about the role.
Travel nurse interviews are usually quick and informal, but preparation can make a huge difference in landing the assignment you want. By practicing your elevator pitch, reviewing common interview questions, and asking thoughtful questions about the unit, you can confidently stand out as a strong candidate. Once you secure the job, your next step is preparing for your first week as a travel nurse!
