Travel nurse interviews aren’t like traditional nursing interviews. They’re usually fast, focused, and to the point.
You can actually breathe a little easier knowing they’re typically short (I’ve never had one last longer than 15 minutes!). But because of that, you only get one chance to nail the first impression and land the assignment. Whether you’re gearing up for your very first contract or your tenth, these interview tips will help you stand out and land the job that’s right for you.
After four years of travel nursing, I’ve mastered the art of travel nurse interviews. I walk into every single one knowing I’ll leave with the offer. In this post, I’m breaking down the most common questions managers ask and providing you the strategies you need to walk away from your next interview feeling just as confident (and hired!).
Travel Nursing Interview 101
I cannot over emphasize how short these interviews are. Typically, a traditional travel nurse interview is over the phone, quick and to the point. Much less stress inducing than a formal face to face interview for a staff job.
The unit manager is usually who you will be speaking to, not HR. Keep in mind, if they’re calling you then they are interested in you working for them. They don’t need to know if you’re a good match for them long term. Nor are they trying to give you trick questions. They just want to make sure your experiences matches what the unit’s patient population is. Be honest. You’d rather be a right match for the unit then get there and be in over your head.
Common Travel Nursing Interview Questions
For starters, I’ve genuinely been asked 0 questions in most of my travel interviews. I’ve noticed this is even more likely when I am applying to a hospital that is seemingly familiar with one of the other hospitals on my resume. From a managers perspective, they just want to know if your experience matches the type of patients they get and if you’re willing to float (because travelers float first – this just comes with the territory). As for the charting systems, they might ask you what you’ve used in the past but this will not be a dealbreaker if you will be new to their charting system.
If the interview is going in that standard quick and to the point direction, here are a few questions you will be asked:
- Tell me about the patient population you commonly work with.
- Do you have experience in floating?
- What EMR systems have you used?
Questions You Should Have Prepared
The manager on the other side of the phone usually takes the lead and has told you the general impression of the unit. But I’ve had a couple interviews with people who do *not* typically handle these calls and don’t have a flow or know what to tell me. If this situation occurs, these are factors I want to have answers to before the phone call is over:
- What is a typical nurse:patient ratio?
- How many days/hours do I get for orientation?
- What color scrubs do I need to wear?
- Day shift, night shift or rotating?
- Clarify start date.
Making A Strong First Impression
Hospitals are often hiring quickly and looking for someone who can step into the role with minimal hand-holding. So, how you carry yourself matters just as much as what you say. Speak clearly, answer confidently, and don’t be afraid to show genuine interest in the position. If this is a job you really want, show it. If the unit sounds like a good fit, say that. Enthusiasm goes a long way and managers want to feel like you actually want to work there vs. feeling like you’re just applying to every opening available.
Remember, you’re not only interviewing for the job. They are also interviewing for the chance to work with you. You do not need to over exaggerate your skills but don’t be afraid to highlight your strengths.
A Quick Caveat: Some Travel Nurse Interviews Can Be More Traditional
The typical travel nurse interview is over the phone, quick and to the point.. 9 out of 10 times. But, I’ve had a few travel nurse friends go through Zoom interviews, most commonly with Kaiser hospitals, and these tend to feel much more like traditional staff nurse interviews. These interviews are often longer, more formal, and include classic behavioral or situational questions designed to assess your communication style, critical thinking, and teamwork. If you’re interviewing with a system like Kaiser, it’s worth preparing for more in-depth questions such as:
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time you handled conflict with a coworker.
- Describe a situation where you had to advocate for a patient.
- How do you prioritize when caring for multiple high-acuity patients?
- Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.
- Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a patient or family.
- Walk me through how you would handle a patient whose condition suddenly begins to decline during your shift.
- You are caring for xyz patient, and xyz situation arises. What are your next steps.
Situational or scenario-based questions are asked to better understand how you think under pressure. These questions can be less about finding one “perfect” answer and more about showing your clinical judgment, prioritization skills, and ability to stay calm in high-stress situations.
Preparing for both styles of interviews, quick travel nurse calls vs. more traditional hospital interviews, will help you feel ready no matter what comes your way.
After The Interview
Follow up with your recruiter to let them know you spoke with the unit manager and how it went. I don’t think it hurts to reiterate to your recruiter that this is the position you are wanting to grab. If you have the manager’s direct contact, and if it seems appropriate, you can follow up with them to say thanks for the interview and that you will keep an eye out for next steps if they gave you reassurance that they will move forward with you.
Landing a travel nurse assignment can move quickly, and my hope is that these tips leave you feeling ready to take it on with confidence. If you’re curious about getting started or have any questions about travel nursing, drop them in the comments. I’d love to help!
Leave a Reply