Contracts
Contracts vary in length from 14 weeks to 6 months (and more). It is on a “per ship stay” basis, i.e. your contract last from the day you sign on till the day you sign off. The next contract is considered a new one and will be offered if available and the company is happy with you and you with them! In general, most staff get into a rotation where they work a contract and then take about 1-2 months break in between. You are not paid for the time that you are off the ship (on vacation).
Shorter contracts are usually not available to “first time” doctors and nurses – this is mostly because the learning curve is quite steep – you spend a week overlapping with colleagues just to learn all the computer procedures and complete fire fighting courses etc. However, in emergencies, exceptions do get made.