Congrats on landing an interview! Becoming a travel nurse is an exciting career choice. It offers the opportunity to work in different healthcare settings, explore new places, and gain diverse clinical experience. If you are still looking for a job opening, discover new travel assignments here!

However, before you can embark on your next assignment, you need to pass the travel nurse interview. Unlike permanent nursing positions, travel nurse interviews are often brief and focused, making preparation crucial. This guide will help you stand out in your travel nurse interview and secure your next dream assignment with confidence.

How exactly does travel nursing work?

Travel nursing is a nursing assignment concept that developed in response to the nursing shortage in the United States in the 1970s. The COVID-19 pandemic created a nationwide staffing crisis and, as a result, a surge in demand for travel nurses.

Healthcare staffing agencies supplies nurses who travel to work in temporary nursing positions, mostly in hospitals. This can last several days, weeks, or months — or longer. When contracts end, travel nurses either extend their stay at the same location or move on to a new destination and opportunity. 

Goodwill Staffing & Recruitment reimburses your licensing fee for out-of-province assignments. We also organize all your travel needs, making the recruitment process seamless and easy for beginners. Find out more about our travel nurse program here. 

Preparing the travel nurse interview process

Now that you are sure that travel nursing is the right path for you, it is now time to prepare for the interview. Travel nurse interviews differ from traditional job interviews. They are typically conducted over the phone or via video call and are usually shorter—sometimes lasting only 15 to 30 minutes. Hospitals and staffing agencies want to ensure that you are a good fit for their unit, can adapt quickly, and have the necessary clinical skills. Knowing what to expect in an interview can put you ahead of other candidates. 

Research the facility and unit

Before your interview, take the time to research the healthcare facility and the specific unit where you will be working. Understanding their patient population, policies, and any unique challenges they face will allow you to tailor your answers and demonstrate your knowledge and adaptability.

• Look up the hospital’s website to familiarize yourself with their mission and values.
• Read reviews from other travel nurses who have worked there.
• Check if the facility has any recent news, awards, or accolades.

Review your clinical skills and experience

Since travel nurses are expected to hit the ground running, hiring managers want to ensure that you have the necessary skills and experience for the role. Be ready to discuss:

• Your experience in similar units.
• Your ability to handle high patient loads.
• Your proficiency with common medical equipment and electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Your ability to adapt to new environments quickly.

Check your nursing license for each province in Canada

If you want to work as a nurse in Canada, you need to make sure your license is valid in the province where you plan to work. Each province has its own rules, so follow these steps:

1. Find the right regulatory body – Each province has a nursing regulator, like the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) or British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Visit their website to understand how to apply for any license you may need.

2. Check requirements – Look for licensing details, renewal rules, and extra steps needed if you’re moving from another province.
3. For international nurses – Use the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) to check your eligibility.

Multi-Province Licensing can be tricky. You can read our blogpost, “The License to Heal” to get further help on navigating through this process.

Prepare for common travel nurse interview questions

While every interview is different, some common questions frequently come up. Prepare strong answers for the following:

Clinical and experience-based questions

• “Tell me about your experience in this specialty.”
• “How do you handle high patient loads and stressful situations?”
• “What types of patients have you worked with?”
• “Are you comfortable working with limited orientation?”
• “What electronic health records (EHR) systems have you used?”

A simple trick to answering experience-based questions like “Tell me about yourself” is using the WAT framework. This means structuring your answer to: Who you are, your Achievements, and how they Tie into this role. 

Situational and behavioral questions

• “Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member. How did you handle it?”
• “Can you share an example of a time you made a mistake and how you corrected it?”
• “Tell me about a time you had to adapt quickly in a new work environment.”
• Tell me about a time you had conflict with a coworker/doctor and what did you do
• Tell me about a time you made an error and how did you correct it
• What do you value in a work environment

The key to answering situational questions is being relaxed and confident. Focus on explaining how you came out on top. Recruiters are looking for travel nurses with the ability to adapt to new environments easily, so highlight your adaptability as much as possible to gain an advantage. 

Availability and logistics questions

• “Are you comfortable working night shifts, weekends, or overtime?”
• “When can you start?”
• “Do you have any scheduling restrictions?”

“When interviewing an applicant, we generally look for an ideal start date, ideal end date, and their availability to do extended shifts.”

– Veena, Junior Career Consultant at Goodwill Staffing & Recruitment

Ask insightful questions

At the end of the interview, you will usually have the opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to clarify expectations and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role. Consider asking:

• “What is the nurse-to-patient ratio in this unit?”
• “What are the biggest challenges travel nurses face in this facility?”
• “How long is the orientation period?”
• “What support systems are in place for travel nurses?”
• What are the scheduling details and weekend requirements?
• What are the required scrub colors?
• What are the parking or transit options?

These questions show that you are proactive and serious about understanding the job expectations.

Follow up with a thank you note

After the interview, send a brief thank-you email expressing gratitude for the opportunity. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and highlight why you believe you would be a great fit.

Example of a post-Interview thank you email:

“Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the travel nursing opportunity at [Facility Name, Province]. I appreciate the insights you shared about the unit and team. I’m excited about the possibility of joining your team and contributing my skills to provide excellent patient care. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information from me. Looking forward to the next steps!

 Best regards,
[Your Name]”

Final thoughts

The travel nurse interview is your chance to showcase your skills, experience, and ability to adapt to new environments. By preparing thoroughly, highlighting your strengths, and demonstrating enthusiasm, you can stand out from other candidates and secure your desired assignment. Remember, confidence and preparation are key—so go into your interview ready to impress!

Are you ready for a travel nurse interview? Use our job board to start applying for travel nurse opportunities, and let us know if our tips helped you land your dream job in the comments!