Do I need to hold on to my Med-Surg Nursing Textbook?

Published

I just passed the NCLEX (75 questions) and I'm job hunting right now. I have sold most of my books on Amazon, at least the theory and review books and things I definitely won't need.

I'm definitely keeping my pharm textbook because there's a lot of stuff in there I'd like to refer to. And my pathophysiology book. At least...I think I'm keeping that.

My med-surg book is worth a lot of money though (Lewis). In school I found it bloated and unreadable, way too much information and not really helpful in answering questions. I'm tempted to sell it.

Do you think I'll need that on the floor for my first job? Since it wasn't helpful in school, I'm not sure it will be helpful at work either. But I don't want to sell it if I'm absolutely going to need it.

Have you used your med-surg or Perry and Potter since you graduated?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I use mine a lot ....but there are reference books at work, as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didnt use mine in my first year. But Im glad i held onto it because down the track it came in handy when I travelled overseas and needed to sit exams for nurses boards. Now Im thinking I'll be doing a lot more reading in my future job so I'd say keep it if you want to get into that area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I've been out of school 16 years and I still use my Lewis often. I've moved it several times, even when we downsized our home after our daughters moved out. Don't get rid of it... it's a valuable resource.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YES!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

KEEP IT! I am a new grad (May 2010) and am working on a cardiac unit. I know cardiac theory pretty well...excelled in it in nursing school and this is where I have always wanted to work.

But, people with lots of other issues that would normally land them on a med-surg floor but who also have cardiac problems wind up on our floor. There are a lot of things that I have picked my book up to review already, just one month into my job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

Yeah, keeping it would be best. When you encounter different diagnoses and treatment it may prove to be a valuable resource. You're wise to also be planning to keep your patho and pharm texts. I've referred to numerous texts to look up various conditions that I'm not especially familiar with.

You should also consider getting a text specific to whichever setting you will start in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Before this edition changes (and you lose almost all resale value), go to a medical bookstore and look at alternatives to see if you find one that you might want to invest in for your personal library. If you find a better book, buy it and sell the old one; otherwise, keep it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I'm in the NICU. I don't touch my books from school, they don't help at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion