Travel nurse interviews can be an uneasy process for any nurse.

What should you ask? What can you ask?

What will they ask you?

As with any interview, travel nurse interviews allow not only the facility to get to know you but for you to get to know the facility as well.

As much as they’re interviewing you, you’re interviewing them too!

Your interview is an excellent opportunity for you to ask questions related to scheduling, time off, float requirements, and more.

Preparing for your interview

A simple way to prepare for your interview is to make a list beforehand of questions and topics you’d like to discuss and have that with you during the interview. This way, you don’t forget to ask about something important!

Most of our travel nurses interview over the phone. Although, be prepared for a different style of interview if needed. We have seen some facilities prefer a video call! Also, these calls can sometimes come out of the blue. You won’t always know the specific time for a phone interview, so be prepared after your recruiter submits you to an assignment.

Your interviewer could be someone from the facility (usually a manager) or a representative from an MSP (Managed Service Provider).

MSPs (Managed Service Provider) are used by vendors/facilities when they are unable to review candidates themselves. 

Figuring out who is performing the interview is important because if a representative from the MSP conducts your interview, it can be challenging to learn about the unit rules and conditions since you won’t be speaking with someone who works at that facility.

While this can be a bit frustrating, your travel nurse recruiter can take any questions you have and help get them answered by someone at the facility after your interview.

If you end up missing the interview call, try to return the call ASAP! It’s important to try and reach the interviewer as soon as possible before they move on to the next candidate.

What interview questions should you ask?

The interview is your opportunity to learn more about the facility, assignment requirements, and the unit.

We asked our recruiters and nurses for some suggestions on questions to ask during your travel nurse interview:

• What is the nurse-patient ratio?
• What are the float requirements?
• How many beds are on the unit?
• Is there an opportunity for overtime?
• Can you tell me about the orientation process?
• Is there parking available?
• What charting systems do you use?
• Is there a possibility for extending?
• Will I need to be available for on-call?

What interview questions might they ask you?

The interviewers’ main goal is to learn more about your experience as a nurse.

They might ask you situational questions and questions about your experience to ensure you’re a good fit for the assignment and facility.

Some travel nurse interview questions you may encounter are:

• What certifications do you have?
• What are your strengths as a nurse?
• Why would you like to work at this facility?
• How have you handled difficult situations in the past?
• Do you consider yourself a team player?
• How does your experience match the needs for this assignment?

Reflect on your experience as a nurse before the interview starts; think about a few different scenarios you can bring up during your interview.

Next Steps

Once you’ve finished your interview, be sure to let your recruiter know. It’s a good idea to call them to discuss your thoughts on the interview, the assignment, and the facility.

Also, if you had any questions you forgot to ask or were unable to get answered, be sure to pass them along to your recruiter! They’ll try to get them answered for you by someone at the facility.

After all that, it’s time to relax, take a deep breath, and wait for that offer!

Do I have to interview for every assignment?

Surprisingly, the answer is no! Depending on the facility and the demand, some assignments have what are called “auto-offers.” If your profile matches the desired requirements, you’ll be offered the position without an interview.

Of course, this has pros and cons. Auto-offers allow you to start quicker since a part of the hiring process is removed. On the flip side, you miss out on the opportunity to ask facility-specific questions and learn more about the assignment.

Your recruiter can let you know beforehand if an assignment you’re being submitted to is giving out auto-offers or doing traditional interviews.

Interested in seeing what ARMStaffing has to offer? Check out our full list of benefits or search our open positions and apply today!