How to Answer: What measures did you take to prepare yourself for the travel demands that this career requires?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Travel Nurse job interview.
29. What measures did you take to prepare yourself for the travel demands that this career requires?
How to Answer
Travel nursing requires that a nurse be comfortable in strange hospitals while performing their job with skill and ease. One way to simulate a travel nurse experience is to become a float nurse at your present job. Do you hate to float because supplies are in an unfamiliar spot? Don't know your co-workers? Are you perturbed that the patient's rooms are not in a familiar layout? Or, would you view these issues as a challenge instead of being frustrated? Remember when you are out on assignment, you will be in a totally unfamiliar facility. Everything will probably be different, from the flow of parking to the computer system. If you do not float in your own facility comfortably, you may want to reconsider travel nursing, or at least have a backup plan.
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Entry Level Example
"While I was still working my regular job, I took on a few prn positions so that I could familiarize myself with the adjustments of working in different areas with co-workers that I don't know. I really felt like that prepared me for the experiences of being in different places."
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Answer Example
"I did a lot of research on different travel nurse companies and started
following some social media blogs for travel nurses. I was able to read other nurse's
Stories about their experiences. Many of them gave tips for getting started. I am so glad
I decided to become a travel nurse!"
Written by Darby Faubion
1st Experienced Example
"I knew that being a travel nurse would give me the experience of meeting new people and working in various facilities. I also realized that, although those things are exciting, I would be in unfamiliar settings and have to be able to adjust easily. So, I talked to my supervisor at my previous job and asked if I could be assigned as floater. This gave me the chance to work different areas of the hospital and ancillary nursing departments. It was during this time that I learned how to adjust quickly to changes in my work environment and working with new people."
Written by Darby Faubion
2nd Experienced Example
"I did a lot of online research about travel nursing first and read others experiences and recommendations for what initial background in nursing would be the most helpful before beginning traveling. I then worked in a critical access hospital on the night shift. This gave me the experience of floating throughout various departments. The staff and resources were also less than compared to a day shift so this helped me to learn how to adjust and critically think if resources are limited. I also researched several different travel agencies."
Written by Tabitha Cumpian on December 28th, 2022