Tips on Interviewing and Starting a New Assignment
By Aaron Moore, MSN, RN-BC, travel nurse expert
Ask Aaron--our seasoned traveler! You can also find answers to frequently asked questions on our
FAQ page, or request a call from a nurse recruiter with one of
TravelNursing.com’s staffing partners.
To a new travel nurse the first phone interview is exciting and scary. I remember mine, I had no idea what to expect and was used to interviewing in-person. I found with every phone interview they did get easier and easier and you find ways to read people over the phone. Since most travel assignments are for 13 weeks, you’ll find yourself interviewing regularly and with that your confidence will grow--and so will your references.
In all my years traveling, I’ve found these tips helped the most:
1. Be honest and upfront from the beginning
If during an interview you are asked a question you don’t know, be honest with your answer. On one of my first interviews I was asked to “in my own words describe first, second, and third degree heart block.” Even though I studied in advance on this, nerves got the best of me and I stumbled through explaining it. Halfway through my answer the manager stopped me and needless to say I did not get that job. But not even a week later I interviewed for another position (found through my travel recruiter) and was honest up front on my goals and experience. That went a long way with the nurse manager and she hired me on the spot!
2. Be over-prepared for anything
I learned from many phone interviews that it was beneficial to have my resume in front of me and some talking points about my goals. This preparation helped when I was asked specific questions about my past and having dates in front of me made the interview go smoothly. Also, I always researched the facility I was interviewing for. This reinforced my interest in them and their patient population. And lastly, I always had standard questions ready:
• How big is the unit?
• How many staff do you have?
• What is your average census?
• How long is orientation?
• What’s your dress code?
3. Let your resume (and recruiter) speak for you
My recruiter initially told me this, and it was hard to believe at first but then I started to see it come to life. Interviewing got easier and nurse managers knew more about me before I said anything--all thanks to my recruiter’s behind-the-scenes work. Not only was my recruiter an excellent reference but finding a charge nurse, educator and/or a manager got easier and they are really the best references to have.
4. Orientation is an important part of the traveling experience
Orientation is the one part of travel nursing that is never the same. I’ve had orientation as long as two weeks and as short as four hours. Remember you were hired to work, not learn. That is why you need to ask about this in the interview so you know what to expect on your first shift.
Your first shift will be awesome and scary at the same time. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be open to suggestions and listen a lot. Ask questions too--everyone knows you’re new so don’t be embarrassed. You can’t expect to know how to run every type of IV pump or vent, and you will not know where the bathroom is in every hospital from here to Timbuktu!
5. Bring all your paperwork with you
Most places already know your BLS, ACLS, license number etc. but being overly prepared has taught me that I always need to bring at least three copies of these documents with me. I had a binder that housed my resume, licenses and certifications, shot records and more--I’ve brought it on every assignment I’ve worked.
As I look back on my time in travel nursing I wish I could tell my younger self many things, but above everything to have fun and keep it simple. Remember why you are traveling and be confident in yourself and skills. After each assignment, try to look at your resume and watch it grow as your experiences do--it’s an amazing feeling.
© 2015. AMN Healthcare, Inc. All Rights Reserved.