July 25, 2008
Access Nurses Weekly Volume 16 Number 6 July 25, 2008
News
Access Nurses’ recruitment team is dedicated to making sure you get the job you want. You’ve selected a great location, your paperwork is completed, but the most important step is nailing the interview with the prospective hospital. We’ve compiled a list of top travel nursing interview no-no’s to ensure you avoid them and have a successful interview.
DON’T get distracted.
You really want this jobso show it. When the time comes for your travel nurse interview, put aside all distractions and focus on impressing the interviewer. Don’t try and put away groceries; turn off the television; have someone else watch the kids for an hour. First impressions are lasting, so make sure you give a great one.
DON’T come unprepared.
One of the worst mistakes you can make is not being prepared for an interview. Make sure you know the name of the facility and do some research on it. Learn as much as you can about the facility beforehand so you can ask questions about it during the interview. Plus, check and see if it’s been in the news lately for a new technology, specialty case, etc.
DON’T let the interviewer ask all the questions.
As a travel nurse, you’re not just the interviewee, you’re also the interviewer. Be sure to ask at least three questions during your interview (about floating policy, specialty unit, types of patients, etc.). Remember that you are trying to figure out if this hospital is the right choice for your travel assignment.
DON’T forget to inquire about vacation time.
During your travel nurse assignment, it’s inevitable that you’ll want to take time off to visit family, explore your new city or take a trip with friends. It’s very important to ask about the hospital’s vacation/time-off policy and request any foreseeable plans so you don’t miss out on any fun travels. A smart tip: wait until the end of the interview so you don’t come off as pushy or demanding.
DON’T act unprofessional.
Professionalism is key when you’re having your travel nurse interview. Be polite and conversational, enthusiastic and interested. Avoid slang/empty words such as “like,” “um,” “you know” and “cool” during the interview. Also, make sure your phone outgoing voicemail message is interview-ready, with a simple and cheerful message.
DON’T lie on your resume.
It may sound like a no-brainer, but you don’t want to get caught in a lie during your travel nurse interview because you “fibbed” on your resume to make it look better. If the interviewer inquires about it, you’re going to be embarrassed. And that’s a definite way to not get a call back.
DON’T forget to smile.
An interviewer can tell if you’re smiling over the phone. A smile changes the tone in your voice significantly. So be sure to plaster a toothy grin on your face when answering questions. Your cheek muscles may be sore afterwards, but it’ll be worth it when you land the job.
DON’T make excuses.
If the travel nurse job is important to you, don’t make excuses about why you can’t have an interview at the designated time. Putting off the interview may have a negative Be available for the interviewer.
DON’T be demanding.
A big turnoff for a hospital interviewer is a travel nurse who’s demanding right off the bat. It’s understood that you’ll have expectations about the details of the position, but hospitals want travel nurses who are positive, flexible and team players. Be firm on what matters most to you without being difficult.
DON’T forget to follow up.
After the interview, it’s a good idea to follow up with your recruiter. Let him/her know how the interview went and whether you’re interested. The recruiter will notify you promptly after hearing back from the hospital about the travel nurse assignment.
Let's Play Diagnosis!
It's a new episode of Diagnosis, the game show for nurses. Test your nursing knowledge as you play along with RNs from around the country.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a highly eclectic city, made up of individually-unique districts, from the hippie town of Haight-Ashbury to the thriving downtown business district and Embarcadero. Culture and entertainment flourish throughout the city, with several fairs and festivals, plus first-class music venues and theatres drawing tourists and residents throughout the year.
Weather: High: 69, Low: 55
Population: 744,041
Nearby Cities: Santa Cruz, San Jose, Oakland
Hot Jobs
Contact your recruiter to inquire about the following jobs!
San Francisco, California ICU and Tele
Positions: Eight
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP
Bennington, Vermont Med Surg
Positions: One
Shift: Evenings
Start Date: ASAP
New York, New York Psychiatry
Positions: One
Shift: Evenings
Start Date: ASAP
El Paso, Texas Oncology and Med Surg
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Rancho Mirage, California ER and ICU
Positions: Three
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP or August 4
Anaheim, California L&D
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Tucson, Arizona L&D
Positions: Five
Shift: 12-hour days or nights
Start Date: September 8
Modesto, California L&D, ER, CCU and Float Pool
Positions: 10+
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: August 4 or 18
Martinez, California ER
Positions: One
Shift: 10-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Rochester, New York Med Surg
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Orlando, Florida L&D
Positions: Two
Shift: Days and nights
Start Date: ASAP
Phoenix, Arizona OR
Positions: One
Shift: 8 and 10-hour evenings
Start Date: ASAP
Everett, Washington NICU
Positions: One
Shift: Days
Start Date: ASAP
Honolulu, Hawaii L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Rotating
Start Date: ASAP
San Jose, California OR
Positions: Two
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Las Vegas, Nevada Med Surg Orthopedic
Positions: One
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Houston, Texas Cath Lab OR Scrub Tech
Positions: Three
Shift: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Washington, D.C. MICU and SICU
Positions: 13
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP
Lander, Wyoming Med Surg
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Featured Forum Topic
Travel Nursing in Arizona
Has anyone worked in Chinle, Arizona? Good or bad experiences?
On the Lighter Side
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman