10 Tips To Nail A Travel Nurse Interview
Written By:
Darby Faubion
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA
Are you a registered nurse who loves to meet new people and experience new places? Do you wish you had more time to travel but need to work? If so, a travel nursing job could be an excellent opportunity for you to do the things you love while still earning a good income. Maybe you thought of travel nursing but do not know where to begin. Perhaps you wonder how hard it is to get on with a travel nursing agency and question, “Who can tell me how to nail a travel nurse interview?” In that case, you have found the right article! As you continue reading, I will share 10 tips to nail a travel nurse interview and help you start living your travel nursing dream!
How To Nail A Travel Nurse Interview?
(The following are the 10 important tips to nail a travel nurse interview.)
TIP #1: Research and Decide the Types of Contracts You Want
About the Tip:
There are so many options when it comes to the type of travel nursing job you can find. One of the first things you need to do if you want to nail a travel nurse interview is think about the types of assignments that interest you and be prepared to discuss them.
Why This Tip is Important:
Recruiters and hiring agents for travel nursing agencies work with many healthcare facilities. Their job is to find travel nurses whose experience and interests align well with the needs of each facility. Knowing the types of assignments that are available and that you want to work on not only helps hiring agents match you with an appropriate job but also shows decisiveness on your part, which is a
good quality in nursing.
TIP #2: Update Your Resume
About the Tip:
I can tell you, as someone who has been in charge of the hiring process, that keeping your resume current is so important. If you have not already done so, be sure to update your resume. Make sure you list your employment history, beginning with the most recent job, and ensure that the contact information of each employer is correct. Also, anytime you earn a new certification or accomplish anything relevant to nursing, you should add it to your resume. Your resume should be a constant work in progress!
Why This Tip is Important:
Keeping your resume updated is important for several reasons. First and foremost, hiring agents and recruiters want to see what you have been up to as a nurse. They want to know where you worked, for how long, and what your responsibilities were. They are also interested in knowing if you have any special skills or certifications. By updating your resume frequently, you not only have current information about your work history and skills at your fingertips, but you also demonstrate your ability to pay attention to detail, which is a critical skill in nursing.
TIP #3: Make Sure All Certifications and Licenses Are Current
About the Tip:
If you want to become a travel nurse, one thing you need to do is make sure any licenses or certifications you have are current. I always encourage nurses who are preparing to begin travel nursing to get all licenses and certifications renewed around the same time when possible. Granted, there is usually a renewal window for nursing licenses, as determined by each state. Other than that, though, if you have other certifications that have annual or biannual renewal, you can stay on track a little easier if you renew them all around the same time.
Why This Tip is Important:
When I worked at a large university hospital, we had an education department that was dedicated to helping staff stay on track with certification renewals and offered classes in-house for those who needed them. While some travel nursing agencies have human resource staff who keep up with documentation, it is ultimately your responsibility to know what certifications you have and when they must be renewed. This tip is important because when travel nursing jobs become available, the agency does not have time to wait for you to renew your certification at the last minute. Having your certifications and licenses current shows accountability to yourself and to your role as a nurse, which is something recruiters look for and will help you nail a travel nursing interview.
TIP #4: Network with Travel Nurses
About the Tip:
If you really want to nail a travel nurse interview, take the time to get to know other travel nurses. Join social media groups, forums, and online communities dedicated to travel nursing.
Why This Tip is Important:
Networking with other travel nurses gives you an opportunity to get insight from people who are already doing the kind of work you want to do. You can get leads on the best jobs and travel agencies to work with from experienced travel nurses. Additionally, they have already been through the interview process, which means they know what the travel nurse companies are looking for in candidates and can give you tips to help you prepare to succeed in your interview!
TIP #5: Demonstrate Excellent Communication
About the Tip:
One of my former colleagues now works as a recruiter for a travel nursing agency, and I was surprised to hear her tell me how many candidates she sees who have horrible communication skills. If you genuinely want to make a good impression and help improve your chances of getting a travel nursing job, you need to know how to communicate effectively.
Why This Tip is Important:
Excellent communication is an essential skill for anyone working in the healthcare industry. Having strong communication skills helps establish better nurse-patient and interdisciplinary relationships. As a travel nurse, you may work in a variety of settings from one contract to the next. If you struggle to communicate well with others, you may find the constant transition and orientation from one facility or job to another more challenging.
TIP #6: Practice for Your Interview
About the Tip:
One of the best things you can do to help increase your chance of nailing a travel nurse interview is to prepare by practicing answering common interview questions. When I taught nursing and allied health, I loved working with students on career readiness and often set up mock interviews for them. Whether you research common interview questions and think about your potential answers or have a friend or family member do a mock interview with you, preparation is key!
Why This Tip is Important:
Practicing for your
travel nurse interview is important because it helps you think about possible questions you may be asked in your interview and prepare to address them. Researching interview questions gives you the opportunity to think about answers ahead of time instead of trying to wing it in an interview. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so you want to make the most of your interview.
TIP #7: Show Your Adaptability
About the Tip:
The travel nursing industry is filled with endless opportunities! One way you can make yourself a more viable candidate and improve your chance of getting a job is to show that you are adaptable.
Why This Tip is Important:
Although some travel nursing contracts are longer or may be extended, the average travel nursing job lasts approximately six weeks. Once the contract is up, you can choose to begin a new contract, often in a new facility. Because your job may change frequently, the ability to adapt quickly to new facility protocols and environments is essential. Recruiters and hiring agents know this and consider adaptability a key trait for travel nurse candidates.
TIP #8: Be Enthusiastic About Learning
About the Tip:
Nursing is an ever-changing industry, and every day there are new ways to learn and grow. Successful nurses stay engaged with new developments in healthcare and show a genuine enthusiasm for learning. One of the most important things you can do if you want to nail a travel nurse interview is to demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning.
Why This Tip is Important:
Each new assignment in travel nursing comes with a new setting, team, facility protocols, and patients. Being eager to learn will help you adapt quickly to any situation. In your travel nursing interview, the hiring agent may ask you what you do to stay abreast of current trends in nursing. You can show your enthusiasm for learning by being involved in continuing education endeavors, attending workshops or conferences, and engaging in opportunities to research or collaborate on projects.
TIP #9: Be Honest About Your Experience and Skills
About the Tip:
While everyone wants to make a good first impression, be sure your impression is based on things you can back up. In other words, be honest about your work experience and skills instead of embellishing things in hopes of impressing your way into a job.
Why This Tip is Important:
My friend, Dee-Anna, has been a travel nurse for several years. When I asked her what advice she would give anyone trying to get a travel nurse job, she said to be honest about work experience and skills. As a former hiring manager, I believe it is important for everyone to be honest about experience and skills, regardless of the job for which you are applying. As a travel nurse, you will work in various settings, and recruiters match you to potential contracts based on your experience. Therefore, it is especially important to be transparent about the type of work you have done as a nurse and any skills you have, as well as be honest about anything you feel you need to improve.
TIP #10: Follow-Up
About the Tip:
After your interview is complete, it is normal for interviewers to tell you that they will “get back with you” about the job. From my experience, I can tell you that most of the time they have already called your references and got some information about you before calling you in for an interview, and they probably already know if they are going to offer you the job. Still, they may have other candidates to interview... OR they may be waiting to see how truly interested you are, which is why you should follow up following the interview.
Why This Tip is Important:
I suggest making a follow-up phone call within 48 to 72 hours after your interview. Proper follow-up is important because, depending on the number of applicants, you want to keep your name fresh in the minds of the people responsible for hiring. When you call, simply tell the hiring manager you are excited about the prospect of working with them and that you wanted to follow-up on the job. Keep the call brief so that you do not take up too much of their time.
My Final Thoughts
Travel nursing has grown in popularity, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. With opportunities to work in various cities and settings and to earn an excellent income, it is no wonder so many nurses consider it! Getting in with a good agency or recruiter is essential. If you are interested in travel nursing, you may wonder, “Can someone tell me how to nail a travel nurse interview?”
There are several things you can do to help improve your chances of getting a good travel nursing job. In this article, I shared 10 tips to nail a travel nurse interview and why they are important. By implementing these tips, highlighting your strengths, and showing determination, you can find the perfect travel nursing job!
List Of Sources Used For This Article
1.
“30 Qualities of a Good Nurse- Do You Have Them?” (
nursingprocess.org)
2.
“41 Travel Nurse Interview Questions (with Sample Answers)” (
indeed.com)
3.
“Understanding Communication in Nursing (with Examples, Importance, & How to Improve)” (
nursingprocess.org)
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.