anyone NOT buy their textbooks?

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2011

I've borrowed required books from the library and just kept renewing them every 3 weeks. It's doable.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Aug 20, 2011

One time I decided to not buy a book that was required because I couldn't afford it at the time. I did use the book in the library but I would of been better off just buying the book.

At times I was able to swap books with friends that already took the class I was taking. Thank God for finanical aide

allnurses Guide · Aug 20, 2011

It disturbs me a bit that you don't think you need the information in the books... yes you might pass the class exams but there is more to nursing than just class tests. Studying the subject well requires more than just what we are able to offer in lectures. I know that I cannot possibly give you everything in lecture, and as adult learners you should not expect me to read the book to you. It is your responsibility to learn as much as possible about the subject; not just to past tests but to be an educated and informed nurse.

If I sound stuffy here, well, I take nursing education seriously; I have to say to the public that you have been educated well enough to be safe when you graduate.

If you can't afford the books, Amazon is usually cheaper, as are ebooks.com, or ebay. Monopolizing the library copy for the entire semester seems a bit unfair to your fellow students, but that is between you, your classmates and the library policies (also the number of volumes available, lol).

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

I start my 3rd semester of NS in September, Pediatrics. I was about to buy my book on amazon and thought about possibly not buying it. the first semester i did not crack my book open once, and second semester maybe once or twice for some clarification. I study by taking notes in class, reading over my notes, sometimes making flash cards. There are also copies of all the textbooks (i think) in the library so if by chance the teacher was like "read over page blah blah im not going over it in class but you need to know it, then i could go read it there..
is it a bad idea to just not even buy the book when i am 99% sure it will just sit on y book shelf at home? has anyone here opted out of buying their textbooks and done fine? let me know your thoughts! :)

You really understand the material w/o the text? I read before the lecture so I know what the heck is going on in class. Nearly all my teachers have considered anything "fair game"----not just the lecture notes. I guess if it works for you, but I need to understand the "why" and not just the "how".

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

I would never go without a book. You never know when you'll need it. I like to play it safe and save money, so I buy older or international editions. I really haven't spent more than $50 on books for a semesters now.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

I always ask students ahead of me. I took pharm without buying the text and did really well in the class. It was kind of common knowledge though that the books for this class weren't needed. Most of the time I do buy my books just because I do like to read things that I didn't understand in class, as well as having teh practice questions in them. My advice though is to ask someone ahead of you how useful it was and maybe let that help u make your decision.

coast2coast · Aug 21, 2011

I bought very few books for nursing school. Having been through university education once already, the content for nursing school was pretty straightforward. I never needed a textbook to supplement material from class and saw no reason to waste money and kill trees just to amass a collection of doorstops.

If you are getting decent grades ... and good clinical evaluations ... then you know what kind of learner you are. Don't worry about what the pearl-clutchers and out-of-touch educators tell you about reading "required" texts cover-to-cover. So much of nursing educational material is brainless fluff - no need to waste your time with it.

If you don't need books, don't buy them ! Your education, your money, your decision.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

You really understand the material w/o the text? I read before the lecture so I know what the heck is going on in class. Nearly all my teachers have considered anything "fair game"----not just the lecture notes. I guess if it works for you, but I need to understand the "why" and not just the "how".

i do.. i have tutored people too... scary? :eek:

i consider myself i pretty aural learner.

iPink, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

I did well in Pharm last semester without buying the text book. My professor's notes were that good. I'm also going into my 3rd semester first week in September, and I'll have Peds and OB, so I just bought the books because I'm very interested in those specialties. Previous students said we didn't need the book because the notes provided by the professors are good and their exams are taking from the notes. But, like I said I'm very open to this specialty and just in case it peeks my interest, I want the books.

Nurse2b7337 · Aug 21, 2011

I agree with an earlier post. I would want to have my books to refer back to. That is just me though to each his own. If you have a question about something when you get in the real world of nursing what can you refer back to? Just my two cents....

SBJustBreathe, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

I agree with Nurse2b7337. Even if you don't use the books for class, you may want to buy them simply for future reference. You never know when you might need to look up info.