New Nursing Student Books- Help?!

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Hi everyone. I don't post much on here so I thought I'd start. I have recently been accepted into a BSN program for the fall of 2012 (wooho :D )

So, my problem is, I'm poor. And I'm taking a class called "Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing Class" In which I need a book that was published this YEAR. So my college bookstore is charging $270 for it. Thing is, the SAME book with the SAME edition is out there for much cheaper, the only difference is the ISBN Number. (It was published 2011, I'm pretty sure.)

Do you think this matters? It literally has the same cover, it's the same edition, and it's the same title it's just the ISBN that they've changed. So I'm wondering If i can get away with buying the cheaper book?

Here's the book, in case it helps:

Expensive version : http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/KOZIER-ERBS-FUNDMTL-NURSGCLINNU-MNL-PKG/9780133136111.page

Cheaper Version: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/Kozier-Erbs-Fundamentals-of-Nursing-9E/9780138024611.page

Notice how they're the same book, and the cheaper one even has a copyright for 2012. But the expensive one was published in 2012 and the isbn # is different.

I realize that the expensive one also contains the mynursinglab, but i could still get that and the cheaper book for under $270.

So, what do you think? Thanks to anyone who helps! :)

It's Fundamentals, I would think not. Anything that may be missing I'm sure you will get in lecture. To be perfectly honest I don't use any of my nursing textbooks, I gave up on them and started buying Reviews and Rationales by Ann Hogan for every class, it's condensed info that is easier to read and learn from. I know it's hard to understand now but you will see that Fundamentals isn't rocket science, just pay attention and ask questions if you don't understand something. Good luck

Okay. Thanks a lot. :) I understand. I didn't even use my A&P book. lol, I'll go with the cheaper one. I feel a lot better about this now.. I just didn't want to buy it if my instructor ends up saying that we need the new one, I can see that it's doubtful now though. I'll look up those reviews too, I might find them helpful in the near future! :rolleyes:

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The only thing I'd say to seriously worry about is if she requires you to do anything online with a software package that comes with the super expensive version. If you need to most of those publishers will let you purchase the software separately since they are often only good for one use and a lot of people buy used books. Otherwise enjoy the savings!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The books I'd say make certain to get the most current version: NANDA (nursing diagnosis handbook) as it changes every 2 years, current drug guide book, and pharmacology (there were MANY significant changes between editions in pharmacology including new drugs, new protocols, new lab monitoring for certain drugs, drugs that have been pulled from the market, new indications, plus new evidenced based practice.) Med Surg, A&P, and a few others you can most likey get away with one edition older but not much more than that.

The other issue would be if there is an online segement or cd/dvd rom included in the bundle. Some bundles are customized to your program (so the ISBN will ALWAYS be different to what you can get online) but you may be able to purchase missing components from the pubisher or another source. Like others said check with your instructor.

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Look on amazon, I buy all my books from amazon, for a ton cheaper!! I'd say you can get away with last years edition, it's mostly just a quick money grab.

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check chegg.com to see if it is available for rental. Some of my books are that expensive but we need them for the three semesters we are in nursing school, so rentals are expensive for me

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It's something school's are doing now to keep us from using cheaper textbook "services"...Half, Chegg, Amazon, etc... They require "their" textbook...Don't fall for it, buy the cheaper one, you'll be fine...My patho professor told me I'd have a tough time keeping up with assignments using an oler edition (one year older) but she was very very wrong...They add a few pages and swap some pictures around and call it a new version!!!!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I bought all older editions of my books online. Some for as cheap as $2.00 ... including pharmacology, which was only published 3 years prior from the current edition.

I graduated from my accelerated BSN program with honors. Enough said.

But go ahead and spend the $ if you still doubt.

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The list price of the required texts at my bookstore was $1100 for first block...I got everything I needed for about $500...And only one book was an older edition (MedSurg)...Shopping around pays off...

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Yeah... I'm starting to believe that it's all just a scam. For some reason bookstores seem to think college students are rich! I take Pharm in the spring so I'll be sure to make sure I get the most up to date book for that. Really... the book looks the exact same. I doubt people will even notice, so I don't know why I'm stressing. Thanks for your help, everyone. It's really nice of you. This is my first thread as a member here and I'm pleasantly surprised at all of the friendly advice! :rolleyes:

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
Yeah... I'm starting to believe that it's all just a scam. For some reason bookstores seem to think college students are rich! I take Pharm in the spring so I'll be sure to make sure I get the most up to date book for that. Really... the book looks the exact same. I doubt people will even notice, so I don't know why I'm stressing. Thanks for your help, everyone. It's really nice of you. This is my first thread as a member here and I'm pleasantly surprised at all of the friendly advice! :rolleyes:

The pharm book IMHO (we used Lehne, 7th Ed but I used 6th) was more for explaining mechanism of action and grouping meds as opposed to learning new meds. And honestly, there was NO difference between the two books. If there was ever any time that I needed up to date info on a med, I would use LexiComp or Epocrates. So an old edition for pharm did not hurt me one bit (the B grade I got in the class was solely due to my laziness to study for the class and lack of finesse with the subject matter :D ... )

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Congrats on getting into the BSN program!!

I graduated many years ago, but recently took a class where I had to buy a college textbook. I discovered renting books was a very cheap option. There are several online book rental places and you can buy they book later if you want.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
Congrats on getting into the BSN program!!

I graduated many years ago, but recently took a class where I had to buy a college textbook. I discovered renting books was a very cheap option. There are several online book rental places and you can buy they book later if you want.

Good luck!

I just remembered that I rented a book for one of my classes, but unfortunately I did not use it that much anyway :D

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