PSA: Never buy your books ahead of time!

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I thought I was being so clever. I looked at the booklist for the last three semesters' Nursing I class. The only thing that would change is the edition, so I figured as long as I purchased the most recent edition, I'd be okay. So shortly after I got word of my acceptance back in April, I've been slowly accumulating books from the booklist. I've compared the prices at our school's bookstore to prices for the same books at places like Amazon and half.com, and I was feeling quite smug that I was able to save 30-50% over the prices at our bookstore.

Well, we had our orientation on Monday, and we got the official booklist. This semester they changed which Med-Surg textbook they are using to a totally different book/publisher. And a new edition of the Fundamentals book came out last month, and they're requiring that. :o

I emailed my instructor, asking if it would be okay if I used the earlier edition of the Fundamentals book, and she said it was okay. Unfortunately, though, I'm screwed on the Med-Surg book and will have to spring for this different one. I guess I'll turn around and try to sell it on half.com where I bought it.

Anyway - lesson learned. Never buy your books ahead of time. Thinking ahead does not pay off. Procrastination is the way to go, and will always benefit you in the end. :chuckle

My instructors were very clear on making sure we didn't buy the books until we had the list because the change them with every update. Sorry that happened to you! :(

I didn't look at the past year book lists. After their books were approved for the 04-05 school year they posted the book list outside the nursing dean's door sometime mid summer. I made a copy from that and ordered by books. Sometimes it pays and sometimes it doesn't.

Michelle

Specializes in NICU.

I had orientation on the 5th and 6th, and my classes don't start till the 30th. Part of our orientation was to go to the bookstore and buy our books, or look at them at least. I copied down all the ISBNs and bought them online cause they were cheaper. The bookatore was only missing 1 book.

Sorry to hear about your dilema. Lots of people's schools I hear don't get books until like a week before classes. The nursing department here might be organized on having the books in way ahead time but a lot of other things they aren't so well off. :rolleyes:

Specializes in Hospice.

You can check what the book is selling for online at campusi.com and then list it and sell it wherever. I sold my extra CD's at textbookX.com They are reasonable and I've sold quite a bit through them.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Cheryl

I know how you feel! When I had orientation back in May they gave us the list of our textbooks for the semster. So i thought I would be smart and order them ahead of time as well! Well I recieved a letter from the Nursing Office saying they forgot to add a book to the list and that the ISBN# would be on the school bookstore's website. So when I pulled up their site I noticed they had newer editions of the books I had purchased. When I asked the Nursing Office they said I HAD to have the newer editions the bookstore was selling. So for the last month I have been returning the books I had and getting the correct ones. Well last monday I picked up my syllabus for the the semster and they still have the old book list! :rolleyes: So sometimes it doesn't work to get them early!

Specializes in LDRP.

New editions are such a scam-they are usually exactly the same except for format and color changes. Our nursing department allows students to have the second most recent edition of textbooks for study if we desire-we just have to look harder for some stuff in the chapters-lol. I saved 400 bucks on books this semester by getting the booklist from the bookstore (copying the isbn's works great) and buying at half.com, amazon.com and walmart.com. Definitely worth the effort! Our bookstore marks up textbooks 25% and trade books 35%! :uhoh3: :angryfire

Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

I think it's all a SCAM. They know we're doing what we can to avoid the bookstore, so they're doing anything in their power to delay book lists. Ours won't be in until a week before classes start, hopefully, they say. The director of the health dept. at my school gave me a book list, and I just ordered everything. I was told by the bookstore that they will all be in late there, due to last minute changes by instructors. SO- if my books are different, I'll be in the same boat you are and have to resell. Urggh.... :angryfire

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

http://www.despair.com/demotivators/proc24x30pri.html

And another perfect occasion for the demotivators ;).

Seriously, this is one of the very few occasions in nursing school where planning ahead may bite you in the rear. Keep up the great work!

I've always bought my books ahead of time on half.com or Amazon so I could get a head start reading. I often buy previous editions or Instructor editions. Since I'm paying for my education out of pocket, I refuse to pay top dollar of new edition books when the same material can be had from older editions. It may take a little extra work on my part to find information in an older edition, but the monetary savings are worth it to me. Part of being a nurse is having good critical thinking skills and thinking out of the box - buying one off editions, buying more comprehesive better reviewed books from same author, checking out similiar books from library, and getting friendly with fellow students who have to the latest editions have been my methods to avoid getting ripped off. And, with all the money i've save over the years, if i just absolutely must get the latest edition i'll wait until the last moment and run to the bookstore and buy it.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/proc24x30pri.html

And another perfect occasion for the demotivators ;).

Seriously, this is one of the very few occasions in nursing school where planning ahead may bite you in the rear. Keep up the great work!

OMGosh, I LOVE that website! :rotfl:

I also bought my books online instead of waiting until Orientation (the 24-27). The sent me a book list several weeks ago and told us that as long as you have the same ISBN, author, and edition--you have the right book! I sure hope so! Our Psych instructor has yet to determine which book he/she would like to use--what's up with that?? Guess I'll be purchasing that one during Orientation!!

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. You've taught people like me (who always like to be prepared) a valuable lesson!!! Thanks!

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