I have no books and class starts Monday - random rant about textbook monopoly

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Informatics, Orthopaedics.

So yeah the college bookstore has had my book order for 3 months ($800 ugh), and with class starting Monday they *still* do not have my books in. Instructor gave specific instructions to have books for class or there will be problems, hence why I put in my order so early.

I cannot afford to spend $800 on books, and OF COURSE I cannot cancel my order due to "school policy".

I seriously HATE that my college bookstore has a monopoly on books. I cannot use my financial aide to buy books elsewhere, I can only get a voucher and use it at the bookstore. ***** Isn't it my money?!?

Went to Barnes and Noble yesterday just to see if I could get something to tide me over, and the basic nursing book is $130. Used. W. T. F.

Sometimes I wonder exactly why we put ourselves through all of this. Can't they just simply put the important nursing info in cereal boxes and be done with it?

Anyway, had to vent...I don't even want to think about what's going to happen Monday. You would think the instructor would be understanding but I don't think that's happening.

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I personally did not have any issues with instructors for not having textbooks on the first week, just tell them what is happening. If they give you trouble try talking to the department head and maybe whoever is in charge of the book store as well making them aware of the situation, I am sure you are not the only one who is having this trouble!

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I second Abigail. Have you tried Amazon? There are also book rental stores that are way cheaper than buying the book yourself.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Oh no, I hate that! Check into ebooks. Some apps have free trials for a week or two. If you can find them that way, activate them when you actually need them and pray your books come in. Or you could look into renting for the shortest time period.

I'm the same boat. I just got my voucher yesterday and they were sold out of every book I need. Thankfully I bought my Fundamentals and Clinical Skills book over the summer so I'm hoping I can get through!

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Specializes in Informatics, Orthopaedics.
OSome apps have free trials for a week or two. If you can find them that way, activate them when you actually need them and pray your books come in.

Ooooo I didn't know that there might be free trials out there, I will start searching...thanks for that!

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Look into Chegg. Most times you can rent books and often they also offer books you can buy. They are pretty inexpensive. My school often takes part of a book, wraps it up and calls it the "special edition" just for my school. The prices were ridiculous so now I just find out what book they used for the special edition and purchase that from Chegg for a much cheaper price.

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Specializes in Informatics, Orthopaedics.
Look into Chegg. Most times you can rent books and often they also offer books you can buy. They are pretty inexpensive. My school often takes part of a book, wraps it up and calls it the "special edition" just for my school. The prices were ridiculous so now I just find out what book they used for the special edition and purchase that from Chegg for a much cheaper price.

That's just it, I don't have the coin in my pocket to buy anything. There are 11 books in my program and I have already "paid" for them with my financial aide...I certainly don't want to re-buy them.

I am still looking into trials for ebook versions...otherwise the instructor will just have to deal with it, it's not like I didn't try.

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