Question on textbook costs

nightingale, RN · May 12, 2002

I do not remember the dollar amount my first semester. I do remember quoting about $ 1,000 for the total; most of this was during the first semester or two.

Try checking out the school library and see if they have the nursing texts there. You probably will not be able to take them out but will use them there, if they have them available.

I have sen texts advertised on the internet and it sounds reaonable that you can save moeny this way.

Resource books like signs and symptoms, drug reference, and medical dictionary can be bought (often) used via the internet. I use Amazon.com, BooksAMillion, and Best Buy Books.

Good luck in your new and challenging adventure. Have fun with it and keep your nose buried in those books.

B.

StudentSandra · May 13, 2002

You should get a "required" list from your school. I think for my first semester of nursing classes the books were around $700....don't faint...but have only had to buy 1 more book second semester & 1 more next semester. So if you look at the $850 total for books for 4 semesters....it kinda evens out......still not fun forking out the $$ before the first semester. Check out other thread "Looking to buy textbooks online" with all the book links.

kimtab · May 13, 2002

Our orientation materials quote $400.00 for the first year. If you can find out which texts they are using in advance, try doing a search on MySimon and you may find a source that will save you some money.

Kim

shanzo89 · May 13, 2002

Thanks for the advice. Still waiting patiently for that orientation letter!

Shannon

delirium · May 13, 2002

In my program, you generally buy all the books you will need for the entire 4 semesters in the first semester. I spent just under $1000 (I think it was $990) on books at that time. Since then, I have only purchased the learning resource guide they put out every semester and a couple of additional books.

I'd definitely look into buying them online if it can save you money. Buying from previous students sometimes isn't as great a deal as you'd think because, at least in my program, they upgrade to the newest edition every year. which means that: my maternal-newborn book is in the 6th edition, so we'll use that next year, but the new first year students will be buying the 7th edition. Does that make sense?

Congratulations on your acceptance!

R.

CountrifiedRN · May 13, 2002

My first semester I paid about $350 for books and about $135 for the uniforms, not including shoes. Second semester was about $300 for books, and i just spent $250 for this summer semesters books. Thankfully, the woman at the bookstore said we shouldn't have to buy anymore books until our last semester next spring.

Good luck, and congrats on getting into the program!

NurseDixie · May 13, 2002

My first semester books were over $800, uniform $110, most of the books were used in 2nd semester,too. Tuition was $700 a semester.

colleen10 · May 13, 2002

Hi Shanzo,

Congrats to you and starting your Nursing Program!

Where I attend school most books purchased in the school bookstore are anywhere from $60.00 to $200.00. With Nursing and Anatomy books usually on the more expensive end.

If you can, try to purchase your books early so that you can try to get a cheaper price for them online (Amazon, eBay, etc.). Or, if you purchase them from your bookstore the earlier you buy them the better chance you will have at getting a Used book at a cheaper price.

You will definately use your Nursing books but for your basic pre. req's like English, comp. science, etc. you may want to wait til your first day of class to see if you really need to purchase the book. Many a time I bought the books for the class and didn't need them.

Other extra things that you may need to buy either in your first or your second year would be a watch, shoes, uniform, stethiscope, clip board - off the top of my head thats all I can think of.

Take care and best wishes!

Colleen