TN-1 Status desiring vacation

Hi.I have a question about the TN status.

Ive been searching and I can't seem to find any information about travel in and out of the US during the duration of the TN status. If I have a TN Status, can I go home to Canada to visit during the course of the year and before the period for renewal has been reached without relinquishing my status to the border officer? In other words, does a temporary departure from the US during the TN Status require the holder to re-apply upon re-entry? Would I need to re-apply after my short visit home, or do I keep the visa until the year is up and then re-apply?

What exactly does 'departure' mean? Is it when I leave the country for a vacation or is it when I depart after the termination of the TN status privilege?

TN has multiple entry. You can leave and come back in as many times as you like. They'll ask you what status you have, you tell them TN and they may ask you about where you work,etc., but there's no problem with going back to Canada to visit.

Great thanks! One more question.does it take long to get through the border ie. do they enter your info in computer and make you come inside, or do they look at your visa and ask you a few routine questions?

Do you mean when you're just travelling through or when you're applying?

Applying can take a while, but when you're just going through (i.e. visiting), I've only been asked a few routine questions, doesn't take any longer than normal. I'm sure they could go more in depth if they wanted to though.