Your adventurous nature for traveling and passion for your work, which is taking care of patients as a nurse, made you take the big decision and that is to become a travel nurse. But before packing your bag and getting on the plane for your assignment there is one important step and that is the interview. It is important to ask the right questions before you say yes to your assignment to make sure that you are set up for success. In this blog, we will guide you on what questions a travel nurse should ask during their interview before saying yes to the assignment. So let’s dig in.
Who are travel nurses?
Travel nurses are specialized registered nurses who travel from one city to another to provide their services where there is a shortage of staff. Travel nurses work on short assignments typically for 13 weeks but it can also range from a few weeks to several months due to various reasons. They are an important part of the healthcare system that provides effective patient care when needed.
Travel nurse questions to ask during an Interview
Once you are called for an interview It is important to set yourself apart from other candidates and the best way to do that is to be prepared for an interview. Here is the list of questions every travel nurse should ask during their interview.
- What are your typical shift lengths and schedules like?
- Are shifts flexible or are there fixed hours?
These types of questions will help travel nurses understand the time schedule and weekend requirements. This will help travel nurses plan their time accordingly.
- What is the patient-nurse ratio?
- How many patients does each nurse typically care for in the unit?
Travel nurses should ask this question in order to assess the workload that they might face during the assignment. If the ratio is high this means the work environment is more demanding. Travel nurses need to be prepared for such challenges to avoid burnout.
- How do travel nurses get set up for the job in terms of paper and requirements?
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What steps are involved in the onboarding process for travel nurses?
Asking this type of question will help travel nurses to understand the paperwork, requirements, and timeline for starting the assignment which is one of the most important steps. Knowing the orientation, training, and support will help you to start your assignment smoothly without any difficulties.
- What are the facility emergency protocols?
- Can you explain how the facility prioritizes the safety of staff?
By asking these types of questions during their interview travel nurse can understand the emergency and safety protocols of the facility. This knowledge will teach the travel nurses how to respond during emergencies and also assure them that the facility prioritizes their well-being.
- What are the challenges that the travel nurse may experience in this facility?
- What are the unique considerations of this facility that travel nurses should know about?
These types of questions will help the travel nurses to be better prepared for the assignment and set realistic goals. These questions will also ensure that they have the necessary skills that are required for this assignment.
- What can you tell me what type of help travel nurses receive at this facility?
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Can you tell me about the benefits or amenities that the facility will provide for travel nurses?
Asking about benefits will help the travel nurses to understand the level of support they will receive both professional and personal. This also means amenities such as housing, free meals, etc.
- How does the facility manage overtime or on-call shifts?
- What is the procedure for it?
It is important for travel nurses to ask questions about the on-call shifts and overtime. This will help them to understand and manage the additional work outside their regular hours.
Other questions to consider while asking questions during an interview for travel nurses
- What are your expectations from travel nurses?
- What is your floating policy?
- What type of technology is used during facility?
- What is the environment like in the facility?
- What is the level of communication between staff members, especially for travel nurses?
- Why should travel nurses ask questions during their interview? Why is it important?
Asking the right questions for travel nurses is important to ensure that the assignment is the right fit and to avoid unnecessary stress. The following are the reasons to ask the questions during interview before heading towards the assignment:
- To ensure a healthy work life balance.
- Understanding facility culture and dynamics.
- Enduring proper support and resources.
- Avoiding unnecessary stress and being prepared in advance for challenges.
I hope this blog was helpful. If you are a travel nurse and looking for your dream high-paying gig, then sign up with SkillGigs and get your dream high-paying gig in a few clicks.