The market for travel nursing can be competitive, especially when there’s multiple nurses vying for the same position. Travel nursing interviews are different from a typical healthcare interview. Most travel nurse interviews are conducted over the phone, which presents its own set of challenges. You don’t have any face to face interactions with your potential nurse manager or the staff on the floor. Without being able to physically see anyone or the environment you will be working in, phone interviews present a whole new set of challenges. Keep reading to discover new tips and tricks on how to nail your travel nurse interview.
Scheduling Your Travel Nurse Interview
Your recruiter will keep you updated on your submission and let you know if your resume gets sent to the facility. Depending on the manager, they may schedule an interview with you directly or they will just give you a call at any given time. Regardless, when your recruiter tells you to keep your phone nearby, listen to them! Make sure you are in a quiet space with no distractions and have good cell phone reception. If you get a call from a number you don’t recognize, answer it! It’s the facility manager calling you. If you happen to miss the call, make sure you call back immediately. When they don’t hear back from you, they will move on to another candidate.
Travel Nurse Interview Tips
Phone interviews make it difficult to show your true personality. During your interview, be engaged with what the manager is saying, sound bright, and express your enthusiasm for the position. This is your opportunity to show off your skills and everything you bring to the table. Highlight your strengths, exemplify how you are a team player and shine. Throughout the interview, be honest with the manager about your abilities. Be willing to explain your experiences and how it has shaped you into a well rounded healthcare professional. The more you are able to advocate for yourself, the better chance you have of landing the job!
Ask Questions During Your Interview
The most important aspect of any travel nurse interview is asking questions. When you ask questions, it’s a sign to the interviewer you are genuinely interested in the position. Plus, this is your opportunity to get a glimpse of what life looks like on the unit. Here are some questions to consider asking:
- What does the day-to-day look like for this position?
- What is the typical patient ratio?
- Are you able to accomodate my requested time off?
- Will I be able to pick up overtime?
- Can you tell me what my schedule will look like?
While you miss out on face to face interactions during travel nurse interviews, there are plenty of ways you can express your excitement and eagerness over the phone. Preparing yourself for the interview and being your own advocate is the best way to land the travel nursing job of your dreams. If you’re on the hunt for your next gig, our job board has thousands of positions available nationwide. You’ll have your own recruiter dedicated to you 24/7, and a whole SQUAD there for you when you need us the most.
