8 Top Travel Nurse Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)

The good news is you have been invited for an interview as a travel nurse. The bad news is you might now be feeling a little nervous about the process and how you will perform. The best way to calm these interview-day jitters is to research the employer or agency you could potentially work for and to prepare answers for questions you are likely to be asked.

Naturally, on the day of the interview, there will be questions about you, your background and maybe some small talk about what you like to do in your spare time. However, even more important will be how you respond to questions specific to the job. To help with that, we bring you eight travel nurse interview questions and ideas to help you answer them.

1. Why do You Think You are Particularly Suited for This Role?

Remember earlier when we said it’s important to research the employer ahead of the interview? This is where your research will help you stand out from the crowd. When answering this question, you need to highlight the match between your skills and experience and the requirements of the role. If you have nursing specialties, highlight these as they may give you an advantage over other applicants.

As a travel nurse, you also want to demonstrate that you love the challenge and flexibility of working with new teams and in new locations. Explain more about what experience you have had in the past, even if it was only during your training.

2. What are Your Chief Strengths as a Nurse? Give Me an Example of How One of These Strengths has Helped You in Your Nursing Life.

You have many outstanding qualities as a nurse, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize and focus on what is important and relevant for the role at hand.

Recruiters love to hear real-world examples because it cuts through generic answers, and it gives them insight into your life at work. Think of a few different instances you can use to respond to questions like this. You will then have templates that can be tailored depending on how the question is phrased.

3. How Will You Cope with Regularly Working in New Locations and with Unfamiliar Team Members?

A large part of being a travel nurse is wanting to experience different environments and becoming part of an ever-growing network of colleagues. You need to convey this your enjoyment of this to the interviewer, so they can understand it makes you a great fit for the job.

With a new location comes new systems and new ways of working. Give an example of how you have risen to this challenge in the past. Don’t be afraid to use examples from your non-working life, or from other jobs, if it is applicable to the scenario.

4. What do You do to Ensure You are Up to Date with the Latest Developments?

Nursing is a role where it’s always important to stay up to date and in the know. You can talk about the professional development courses you have undertaken or would like to pursue in the future.

However, also highlight the work you do in your own time to remain current. This could be professional journals you regularly read or conferences you have attended.

5. How do You React to and Deal with High-Stress Scenarios?

High-stress situations are part of being a nurse, so it’s important to show you understand this and to demonstrate how you accommodate it in your working life. Your support network and ability to switch off from work are going to be key.

Stressful situations are also always easier to handle when you have a great team around you. Highlight the importance of working as part of a team, and if possible, give an example of when you have stepped into a leadership role under stressful circumstances.

6. Do You See This as a Long-Term Role?

Recruiters want to know whether they are hiring someone for the long term or if they are going to be back in the interviewer’s seat sometime soon.

While none of us can accurately predict the future, you want to offer reassurance that working as a travel nurse is an ideal fit for you. Highlight how both the challenges and benefits of the role fit well with your future career ambitions.

7. Why do You Want to Work with Us?

Research is going to be all-important if you want to give a fulfilling answer to this question. Make sure you understand what will be required of you and who you will be working with in terms of patients and colleagues. Only then can you highlight how your skills align with their needs.

You can also speak about some of the less tangible benefits like enjoying seeing fresh places, meeting new people and rising to the challenge of learning unfamiliar systems.

8. Finally, do You Have Questions for Us?

Any interview is an opportunity to ensure the vacancy is a good fit for you, as much as you are a great fit for the role. This question allows you to dive deeper into any areas you are not sure about. You can ask about the employer’s remuneration, benefits, policies and even why the previous person left.

This is the ideal time to showcase your genuine interest in filling the role, so make sure you have some clear, well-defined questions ready.

Ready to Shine?

Have these travel nurse interview questions helped you to feel more confident about interview day? If you think you need a little more preparation, then ask a friend to role-play an interview scenario with you and work through the questions. It’s amazing how self-assured you will feel after you have rehearsed a couple of times.

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