TRAVEL NURSE INTERVIEW GUIDE

It is very rewarding being a travel nurse, but before you get ready to jet set around the nation doing what you love, first you need to get past the interview.  Prepping for a big interview can be very stressful.  Do not worry, we have put together a list of tips and tricks to ensure that you ace your next interview in order to land your perfect travel nurse job!

Preparation

Company Research – Conduct your own research of the company you are interviewing for before you arrive.  Research the type of facility (teaching hospital, trauma center, behavioral center, etc.).  Find out when the company was started, its mission, value statement, leadership team, culture, etc.  In case the interviewer asks about these items, you want to be prepared.  It will show that you are interested in them and you really want to work as a travel nurse for their facility. 

Your Resume – This is a simple task, but often overlooked.  Make sure you know your experience inside and out.  Know what is on your resume and be able to elaborate on your experiences.  Make sure it lines up with the responsibilities for the position you are seeking.  Talk about why you are the perfect fit for this position and be sure to talk more about your strengths and soft skills.

Understand the Travel Nurse Industry

• Make sure you know how travel nursing varies compared to permanent nursing positions.
• Travel nurse jobs become available when more staff are needed to diminish nursing shortages.
• Be able to quickly adapt to different management styles, processes and procedures.
• Show how you can adapt to the needs quickly, and organize and prioritize tasks with little instruction. 

The Interview 

Ask questions – Asking questions will show that you are engaged throughout the entire interview.  Interviewers enjoy it when you ask good questions.  Prepare by coming up with at least three or four questions ready beforehand.  A few good examples can include,

• What is a typical day like for a travel nurse?
• What is the turnover rate for a travel nurse?
• Is there room for growth for a travel nurse?
• What is the normal nurse-to-patient ratio?
• What is the average acuity of the patients on the unit?
• What type of patients do you have on your floor?
• Will I be able to pick up any overtime hours?
• How is the scheduling done?

Be engaging – Be actively listening and engaged throughout the interview.  You will learn more about the position and the company during the interview, so be sure to have some follow-up questions.  This will show your interest in them and the travel nurse position you are seeking.

Post Interview

Follow-up after an interview is almost just as important as the actual interview. After the interview, if you’re still interested in the position, be sure to send a follow-up email.  In this email, you should thank them for their time, and let them know you are still very interested in the travel nurse position and that you look forward to hearing from them. 

If you change your mind after the interview and are no longer interested in the position, send them a kind email.  Be sure to thank them for their time, tell them you are no longer interested, and that you hope you all can connect sometime in the future. 

Conclusion

Interviewing for a travel nurse job can be a stressful process. Following these simple steps will ensure that you are as prepared as possible.  It can also help make your interview go as smoothly as possible and get you closer to your travel nurse dream job! Be sure to talk to the recruiters at Precision Healthcare, and they can help you prepare, and guide you throughout the entire process.