Book buying for ADN program

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I will be starting an ADN program this fall after 6 years as an LPN, but I have had the worst luck with it. For the fall the school decided to rethink their bridge program so as of now there isn't one, that means I get to start at day one. On top of that they are also switching to all brand new versions of the texts...boo!

I know from my LPN (which was not a separate program, it was the first year of the adn program) that all the books are not necessary. Also I have a bunch that are from 2003 and they are good enough. So that leaves me with only a few books to buy (dosage calc, med/surg, fundamentals). A new drug guide might be nice, but I don't think it is necessary since I don't run into meds missing very often.

But do I need a new nursing diagnoisis book? I do have one from 2003 and any advice on whether or not that will be good enough would be appreciated!

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You have to start at the begining of the adn program and do 4 semesters? :eek: That's terrible, if that is what you are saying I would be looking into other options.

Personally I think it is best to get the ISB number for all of the books they require and search online before you resort to buying them at the book story. I can usually find them way cheaper. I didn't have a care plan book from my LPN program and the book store sold the one recommended for my class for just shy of $70 for a really big soft covered book found in online for $22+$7 for shipping saved almost $40.

As far as using older book, if it is a newer version of the exact same book you may be okay. But it's always good if you compare. My husband made it through human development with a book one edition behind, still got a good grade, not sure that I would want to do that for a nursing class if I could avoid it. Be sure you know which books are required and which are deemed 'optional' or 'reccomended'.

I feel your pain with the new edition thing, I just started the second half of a 1+1 program in January and I will be a part of the first graduating class and so all of the books are new and the newest edition.

Congrats on going back to school, good luck.

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Yup, all 4 semesters. But I did all my prereq's with them and other schools in the area want different ones and I am tired of dealing with transfering. Oh well. The hardest part is that I work on a med/tele floor that has students and they do start at day 1. For my LPN a CNA license was required, but not at this school. These poor students are walking on to a heavy floor and have never turned a patient. Grrrr.

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Whoa I'm shocked by this. That is very unfortunate. I begin a bridge program in August. Good Luck to you!

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Yup, all 4 semesters. But I did all my prereq's with them and other schools in the area want different ones and I am tired of dealing with transfering. Oh well. The hardest part is that I work on a med/tele floor that has students and they do start at day 1. For my LPN a CNA license was required, but not at this school. These poor students are walking on to a heavy floor and have never turned a patient. Grrrr.

Many schools do not have a bridge program or they accept LVNs into the last year or 1.5 years--on a space available basis. Meaning, if someone fails a class, then there will be a space available in the next semester.

If a nursing program does not require a CNA beforehand, then the college/university may chose 2 weeks of inclass training before starting in clinical. We did this when I started and then we started on various floors and various departments. I got GI/oncology. The college is shooting itself in the foot by not requiring a CNA before nursing school. There is so much to absorb that it makes sense that previous CNA experience/learning would cut down on what has to be taugt.

As far as having to start from the beginning, it makes things longer but you will be taught the way the college wants things done--the way they want their care plans done, and how to write an APA paper. If you started at the bridge program, you would be expected to be a the level of the current students who started at the beginning.

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I have come to terms with the starting from the beginning...who could find use in taking med surf over again. I am not looking forward to stepping back into clinicals. We will be having 6-8 weeks of clinical lab before stepping into a clinical site.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Ouch. It sounds like a waste of time and money but you will be ahead of your classmates who don't have your level of nursing education.

I wouldn't buy a new nursing diagnosis book. Nursing diagnoses don't change all that quickly and you should be fine with what you already have. Best of luck to you in your program!

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If you are going to buy nursing books, compare ISBNs and book costs with those offered at Amazon. They have a program for students, if you enroll, that for $2.99 you get free overnight or free shipping for longer turn around. It does not matter if you order books or other items, once you enroll you get the upgrade shipping. This has been very beneficial.

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Oh, one more thing. To enroll, you must provide the email address the school gives you to show Amazon you are a student. Either way, it is a great program and it's free......

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.

]I'm doing an online LVN-RN program right now and I'll also need new books. For my next class I'm gonna need a nursing diagnosis handbook and a lab/diagnostics test book (and of course a lot of other books).

I have both of those books from my LVN program; they are 2005 and 2006 editions. I plan on emailing my instructor and asking him/her if these are gonna be okay or if I really need to buy the new books. I also have a drug guide from 2005 but I plan on buying a new one for the class.

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]I'm doing an online LVN-RN program right now and I'll also need new books. For my next class I'm gonna need a nursing diagnosis handbook and a lab/diagnostics test book (and of course a lot of other books).

]I have both of those books from my LVN program; they are 2005 and 2006 editions. I plan on emailing my instructor and asking him/her if these are gonna be okay or if I really need to buy the new books. I also have a drug guide from 2005 but I plan on buying a new one for the class.

You are probably going to need other books for the next semester/quarter. Your college's bookstore should have a list of the books you will need for the next class. Copy the page that has the book # and then purchase elsewhere. Amazon is a good resource and if you buy early enough you may be able to buy used at a great reduction. Amazon has a program for students; when enrolled, which is verified by your student email account with the college, you will get free shipping, or if you want next day shipping, pay only $3.99. This free student program has been extremely helpful for all my Amazon purchases.

If you can, get in touch with students who took the program last semester/quarter and get their notes and/or feedback. It could save you hours.

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Which online school are you attending?

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