Cost of books first semester?

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Yikes. I'm starting nursing school in a few weeks. I just got our syllabus and list of "required reading." I already have 4-5 of the books.. the other 13 or so books are going to add up to almost $700 :bugeyes:

Um, I don't have $700! I do have some $ on my pell grant let after registration and I'm hoping that will be enough.

Is this a normal amount? Are "required" books really required? Also, is it going to be like this every semester??!

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Specializes in Neuro.

Mine were 1,000 for my first semester.

I know how it feels. If it comes down to it, I would sign up for a credit card and use it only for books, and pay it down over the course of the semester.

That and try bigwords.com to find great deals, I usually save about 40-50% by using that sight.

Good luck!

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I would sign up for a credit card and use it only for books, and pay it down over the course of the semester.

Bad advice.

I would mow lawns or deliver pizzas.

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We are told that our books for the first semester are going to cost between $1200 to $1400......Depending on if you get some used ones. We also have to purchase lab kits and muitiple other supplies.....I know that most of ours are really required they have a few optional.

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Im expecting to spend about 400, i spent about another 100 on reference books. My school said these books we'll be using throughout the whole Nursing course which is nice. Plus I dont see us getting through Koziers fundamentals book in 1 or 2 semesters.

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Wow.. I guess I was just clueless. I expected the books to be a couple of hundred dollars but $700 blew me away. Anyway, the credit card idea is the only feasible one right now. I'm simply not going to have time to deliver pizzas or mow grass with 5 children and my husband's schedule. Thanks for the ideas!

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Specializes in MED SURG.

Ughh I Jus Ordered My Books Yesterday 560 Dollars. I Used Amazon.com To Get My Books. Its Still Alot Of Money It Sucks

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Shoot, I thought I had it bad...Mine were only $348.00...:rolleyes:

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Yes, we got what the book store called a "bundle". No choices on used books...all new in the bundle! So, ours were nearly $700 at our school as well...plus the cost of all the clothing and equipment...it adds up!

Try getting the ISBN and search www.chambal.com which is a search engine for books...

Also, required books may NOT be required the first semester, so check with the Nursing department to see which ones are...then that way you can get the others as needed.

Most of the books I got 1st semester will carry me through til the end, but there are a few I have to get here and there. So, no, if you spend this now, more than likely it will not be like that every semester. If anything, you'll need to buy one or two...if that.

Good luck!

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Mine are going to cost about $1200....and like previous poster, they will be used through the whole program. I will still need to purchase a few more books each semester but the bulk is bought in the beginning. Ours are also bundled new from the publisher so I don't even know what they are to be able to search for used books.

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check with some students who are done with the first semester- they will tell you which books you absolutely need. i was on my way to buy mine but found out from a senior that all i really need from the "required" list is mosby's dictionary and the drug guide. besides that, a good med/surg text plus an NCLEX review should get us through the end.

but every school is different...

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Well I just got my order in for books and they were 1790.00 can you say ramen noodles.!

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