Are Assignments flexible?

[Krither]

I didn't quite know how to word that, but my question is it required that assignments are consecutive or can there be time in between?

Also does one have to have a certain number of assignments per year or can you decide how many you want? Or when you want them?

Are travel nurses given that option?

[ERRNTraveler, RN]

You can take as much time off between assignments as you want, but your time off will be unpaid, and most companies will drop your insurance if you spend more than 3-4 weeks "off" assignment, unless you pay for COBRA.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Unless you are contracted to the agency itself (some foreign nurses do so to get green card - for a period of time), you are a free agent. You can take or refuse assignments at will, take as much time off as you wish. By the same token the agency is not required to find you work. And there may be limitations as to how much time that you can take off between assignments and keep seniority points (if available in your agency) or maintain your insurance without paying COBRA.

Thus while agencies can take applications from anyone licensed, whether you get a job through them is another matter. By the same token, you can have info on file with several agencies, and pick and choose which assignments that you want. Have info on file has no obligation, until you agree and contract an assignment. And at the completion of the assignment (barring working again, within a year for the same facility) your obligation to the agency ends as does their obligation to you.

Most facilities require 36-48 a week while contracted - but this will be listed on the contract. Most last 8-13 weeks, though some are shorter (sometimes strike contracts and others) and others last longer such as 26 weeks (often those to distant locales that have serious start and transport costs, such as Hawaii/Alaska). Foreign nurses/US nurses to foreign locales contract frequently for 12-36 monthes, due to cost of setup, fees, and greater orientation time required.

[Krither]

Unless you are contracted to the agency itself (some foreign nurses do so to get green card - for a period of time), you are a free agent.

Is it normal to be contracted with an agency?

You can take as much time off between assignments as you want, but your time off will be unpaid, and most companies will drop your insurance if you spend more than 3-4 weeks "off" assignment, unless you pay for COBRA.

Also, what is COBRA?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Is it normal to be contracted with an agency?

Also, what is COBRA?

Some foreign nurses wanting to come to the USA, do so through agencies. Some come to a long term assignment, and others work several assignments through agencies for several years - to pay for the difficulty and expense for being sponsored here. If they take substantial time off, they may have to "pay back" the agency some time. Or if a facility wants to hire them permanently, there is a much more substantial fee (paid by traveler or facility) than if you are not longterm contracted this way,

Some of this is detailed in the many International threads about coming to the USA.

COBRA is a piece of legislation that insures that when people - insured through their employer - cease to be employed by that employer - can keep their insurance for a period of time, I believe 18 monthes. The ex-employee though must pay full cost (both their contribution and what the employer contributed) which many cannot afford.