9 month or 12 month pay?

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

Hello all,

I just got hired for my first school nurse position and I'm filling out all the paperwork. I have to decide if I want my paychecks spread out over 9 months or all 12. Can someone explain the pros and cons of each option? Thanks!

[kummerspeck]

This will depend a lot on whether or not you are good at budgeting. If you can budget well, then 9 months may work for you. Do you plan on working somewhere else in the summer? If you're supplementing your income, it may also be ok to take the salary that way. Keep in mind that when you have more in each check, you pay more taxes, but once tax season comes around, it will equal out. The IRS just doesn't know you're not going to make that particular check every month.

Pros would be that it might make it easier to do the things you want/access your funds faster for summer. If you don't want to "save up" for vacation, or whatnot. But really, it all falls to whether or not you can budget.

Before nursing, I was a teacher, and I took my salary over 12 months because I was in my twenties and much more money stupid than I am now.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

In general, I think having a consistent paycheck is better. Also, if you work a summer job, that second check will seem like icing on the cake.

[OldDude]

In general, I think having a consistent paycheck is better. Also, if you work a summer job, that second check will seem like icing on the cake.

Yea, what Jed said!