Yes. Here's how Taking Time Between Assignments can give you more Flexibility to Travel, Recharge, and Plan What's Next
One of the biggest advantages of travel therapy is that your career doesn’t have to follow the same schedule year after year. Most travel therapy contracts last around 13 weeks, but that doesn’t mean you have to immediately start another assignment the moment one ends. You can take time off between travel therapy contracts. For some therapists, that might mean taking a week or two to decompress before heading to their next destination. For others, it could mean spending a month at home, taking a longer vacation, or simply waiting for an assignment in a destination they’re excited about. The key is understanding how time between contracts works and planning for it ahead of time.How Much Time Can You Take Between Travel Therapy Contracts?
Your Next Assignment Doesn't have to start the day after your current one ends.
One of the biggest perks of traveling solo is also one of the simplest: you don't have to coordinate your plans with anyone else. Want to take an assignment near the mountains because you spend your weekends hiking? Go for it. Want to spend a few months somewhere warm? That's an option, too. Maybe you've always wanted to live near the beach, explore a big city, or spend your days off visiting national parks. When you're traveling alone, your assignment can reflect what you want.
Travel therapy already gives you the opportunity to choose from assignments in different destinations, and going solo can give you even more freedom to shape your experience around your interests. You can choose where you want to work, decide how you want to spend your days off, and change your plans when you discover something new. There's also something to be said for making decisions based entirely on yourself. You may discover that you're more willing to try something new when you don't have to wait for someone else to be ready.
How Do You Meet People While Traveling Alone?
Your new workplace can be the starting point for building a community
There isn’t a universal rule that says you have to begin your next travel therapy contract immediately after finishing your current one. Once your assignment ends, you can decide when you want to start working again based on your plans, finances, and the opportunities available. Because contracts are commonly around 13 weeks, you could structure your year around both working and time off. For example, you might complete a three-month assignment, take a few weeks off, and then start your next contract. Your break could be:
- A few days or a week to move and get settled
- A couple of weeks to spend time with family or friends
- Several weeks for a longer vacation or road trip
- A month or more if your finances and plans allow for it
There’s no requirement that every gap looks the same. Your ideal amount of time off may change from one contract to the next, depending on what you have going on in your life.
Do You Get Paid During Time Between Contracts?
Time off Between Assignments is Unpaid, so Plan For the Gap.
This is one of the most important things to consider when deciding how much time you want between contracts. Unlike paid vacation offered through a traditional permanent position, time between travel assignments generally isn't paid because you're no longer working that contract. That means your annual income depends not only on your contract pay, but also on how much time you choose to spend working throughout the year. For example, if you take four weeks off between assignments, you'll want to make sure your budget can cover your expenses during that time without relying on your normal weekly paycheck. Planning ahead can make a big difference. Before taking an extended break, consider your savings, ongoing expenses, travel plans, and the expected start date of your next contract. Time off can be a great part of the travel therapy lifestyle, but it's much more enjoyable when you aren't worrying about how you're going to pay for it.
Why Take Time off Between Travel Therapy Contracts?
Your time between assignments can be an opportunity, not just a gap.
Working back-to-back contracts can help you maximize your time and income, but that's not necessarily the only way to approach travel therapy. Taking time between assignments can give you the freedom to do things that are difficult to fit into a typical work schedule.
Spend more time at home
If you've been away from family and friends for the length of your contract, a few weeks at home can give you more time together than trying to squeeze everything into a long weekend.
Take the trip you've been saving for
Your next adventure doesn't have to be your next assignment. Use the time between contracts to visit somewhere you've always wanted to go, take an international trip, or finally plan that road trip that's been sitting on your list.
Reset before your next assignment
A new contract can mean a new facility, coworkers, city, housing situation, and routine. Giving yourself some breathing room can help you start your next assignment feeling refreshed rather than immediately jumping from one move to another.
Wait for the right opportunity
Taking a little time off can also give you more flexibility when choosing your next destination. Instead of feeling like you have to accept whatever is available immediately, you may be able to wait for an assignment that better fits where you want to go and what you want to experience.
How Do You Plan for Time off Between Contracts?
Build the break into your travel therapy plans from the beginning.
If you know you want time off between assignments, don't treat it as an afterthought. Think about your ideal schedule when you're deciding how long you want your next contract to be and when you want it to end. Consider what you want to do during your time off, how much you'll need to save, and when you'd ideally like to start working again. You can also talk with your recruiter about your timeline so they can help you look for assignments that align with your plans. The beauty of travel therapy is that your next assignment doesn't have to dictate your entire year. Work for a few months. Take some time off. Explore somewhere new. Go home. Then do it again. There's room for all of it, and that's part of what makes a travel therapy career different.
