Books question: new v old edition?

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My program requires the NCLEX-RN study books (which is great, I want to buy them anyway to study for the duration of the program, not just in medsurg), but one of the books, Saunders' NCLEX-RN Comprehensive Review, is in edition 4 right now, but they're putting out the 5th edition in October... The book now is ~$60.

Do I go ahead and get the book now so I can be studying up before the program starts and until the new book comes out in October, or do I just wait and get the newest edition? I don't need the book until January, when the NUR courses start... They're also recommending HESI, which I have no clue what that is, is it a question style?? Any help on either subject would be great!

Specializes in Operating Room.

That's exactly what I did! :-) I bought the current edition back at the beginning of 2013 to use as a study guide throughout the first semester, but will definitely be buying the new version in October. I figure, the more supplemental study material, the better!

Specializes in Operating Room.

Oh, and HESI is a nursing school entrance exam. There should be a study guide for the test as well. I took the TEAS and I had a study guide, so you should be able to buy a guide tailored specifically for that test.

Oh and HESI is a nursing school entrance exam. There should be a study guide for the test as well. I took the TEAS and I had a study guide, so you should be able to buy a guide tailored specifically for that test.[/quote']

I already got into the program, it's HESI for NCLEX-RN comp review... Thanks though!! I'll go get the Saunders today I think :)

Specializes in Operating Room.
I already got into the program, it's HESI for NCLEX-RN comp review... Thanks though!! I'll go get the Saunders today I think :)

No problem! :-) Saunders is really good- it's broken down into sections, so I have a feeling it will really come in handy for first semester, and definitely beyond! I always hear about nursing exams being totally different than what we're used to, so at least an NCLEX book will come in handy as a way to prepare us for the exams.

Good luck!

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

The current Saunders Review is actually 5th edition. I'd probably wait. I started my program in January it does help with outline of main points and learning how to do nclex style questions but I can't really say it made a huge difference in my 1st semester cause I was too busy reading all my other textbooks.

Since you will still be learning foundational nursing its takes a while to grasp all the information you got to read. What did help me in first semester was the "Review and Rationales" series. I got it for Health Assessment Class and Fundamentals in Nursing Class because I really was not "getting it" as far as critical thinking. I plan to get other in that series as they come along. I just started using Saunders, but its up to you to get it. The main information probably won't change so it will still be useful, I'll probably get the new edition when it comes out.

The current Saunders Review is actually 5th edition. I'd probably wait. I started my program in January it does help with outline of main points and learning how to do nclex style questions but I can't really say it made a huge difference in my 1st semester cause I was too busy reading all my other textbooks.

Since you will still be learning foundational nursing its takes a while to grasp all the information you got to read. What did help me in first semester was the "Review and Rationales" series. I got it for Health Assessment Class and Fundamentals in Nursing Class because I really was not "getting it" as far as critical thinking. I plan to get other in that series as they come along. I just started using Saunders, but its up to you to get it. The main information probably won't change so it will still be useful, I'll probably get the new edition when it comes out.

This semester I haven't read anything from our textbook. I have ONLY used the Review and Rationale books and my test grades are higher than they have ever been. I think these books condense the info into the important info and leave all the "fluff" out. So I'm with you man-nurse, I love those books. And I also have a Saunders book that I like!!

Thanks for the advice, what kind of rationale books, does Saunders publish them? Will check amazon later tonight for them.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Thanks for the advice, what kind of rationale books, does Saunders publish them? Will check amazon later tonight for them.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Pearson does the review and Rationale books. They normally come with a code for etext which is nice because you can then just print each chapter and stick it with your class notes. I have my notebook all organized.

Specializes in Operating Room.
Pearson does the review and Rationale books. They normally come with a code for etext which is nice because you can then just print each chapter and stick it with your class notes. I have my notebook all organized.

Thank you for this suggestion! I'm all for supplemental materials! I also bought the Fundamentals Success book that was recommended somewhere on this site. :up:

Thank you for this suggestion! I'm all for supplemental materials! I also bought the Fundamentals Success book that was recommended somewhere on this site. :up:

The Success series is ok but it is strictly questions and rationales. The reason I like the others better is because it does have the review part of it with the info to study. Go to Amazon where you can look inside the books and browse through them.

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