Do I 'NEED' these books?

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · May 26, 2014

I never touched the dictionary. Lab values was a good reference. Our Potter and Perry text didn't come with a study guide or a clinical companion. I took medical terminology as a pre-requisite, so I didn't have need for an additional book.

Lab values may vary slightly based on the individual lab, but it's still important to know what the standard ranges are. That's the only book I would purchase, personally. I never used it again after fundamentals though, to be honest.

christina731 · May 27, 2014

My program required the lab values book back in 1st semester and I have used it ever since (I'm about to start 4th). That would be the only book I would recommend getting. I got the Potter and Perry Study guide and it collected dust on my bookshelf for 4 months right beside the dictionary. I sold them after first semester I've never felt like I needed them. The others don't seem like they would be useful either, but in don't have any experience with using them.

Sparrow91 · May 27, 2014

Definitely the lab value book, the rest I would not worry too much about. Worst comes to worst if you find you NEED one of these, amazon has 2 day shipping so you can get a copy fairly quickly.

RunBabyRN · May 27, 2014

Never even opened the plastic on the dictionary. The others, I would say it depends on your classes, but I'd have used all of them. There was a study guide for my pharmacology book, but I never used it. That said, pharm isn't my strong suit- perhaps I would have benefitted from it! :bookworm:

The lab test reference, you'll probably use. I used mine particularly for clinical write ups.

jennaroo · May 27, 2014

Thanks for all the input guys!!! I will definitely be purchasing the lab value book!

sjalv · May 27, 2014

1. Bought it, never used it

2. Bought it, never used it

3. If you're taking a med term class, yes, otherwise no

4. Yes, for care plans

5. No

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 27, 2014

Study Guides are a good resource for studying; medical diagnostic tests and lab values are important to understand and know; medical dictionary...not so much; Clinical Companion Book-maybe...

If all else fails, if you get ALL the books, and you don't use them, resell them...

i♥words · May 27, 2014

I'd get the lab test reference book and skip the rest. I use it for all of my care plans.

jennaroo · May 27, 2014

1. Bought it, never used it
2. Bought it, never used it
3. If you're taking a med term class, yes, otherwise no
4. Yes, for care plans
5. No

I am definitely skipping on medical terminology because I've already taken the class and still have my book

jennaroo · May 27, 2014

Thanks for all your help guys!!!

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · May 27, 2014

Out of all of them I would only get the lab values and diagnostic reference book. If you can buy it used because even though I used it, I used it very little. A book a little rough around the edges would be just fine. If I might suggest, pick up a used copy of Jarvis Physical examination and health assessment. It might help with physical assessments in fundamentals (it did for me) and you can pick up a used 5th edition for like 5 bucks....Amazon.com: Pocket Companion for Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 5e (9781416038542): Carolyn Jarvis PhD APN CNP: Books