Do you keep your nursing books?

[Tony35NYC]

At one point I thought I'd keep mine until I finish the program, but now I have way too many books. I have all kinds of textbooks, study guides, and other supplemental reference books, some of which I haven't even opened since I bought them. I ran out of space to keep them a long time ago, and now its out of control. The books are stacked up everywhere...the closets, the hallway, the kitchen, and the living room. The wife is saying some of them have got to go, and I know she's right. I know some people sell their books immediately after they're done with class, but I never did get around to selling any of mine. I plan to donate them to the public library, but I'm procrastinating because I still keep thinking I'll need them.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I ran out of space to keep them a long time ago, and now its out of control. The books are stacked up everywhere...the closets, the hallway, the kitchen, and the living room.

I sooo hear ya ... :chuckle

It is out of control. But I'm keeping everything until I've been on the job after graduation for at least 6 months. I might be delusional, but my plan is to do a run-through of ALL of my notes while studying for NCLEX. Then, depending on where I'm working & my evolving career path, I'll pare down.

Some things I still use frequently -- my A&P text and/or anatomy atlas, for example. And my notes from Med-Surg on cardiac, respiratory & endocrine.

I forced myself to organize and put everything in some of those inexpensive cardboard boxes when I outgrew the small bookshelf in our computer corner. The boxes currently number 5, and I estimate I'll have 7-8 when I'm done. No, they're not attractive in the family room :rotfl: , but it's an improvement over when there were stacks of paper everywhere.

Good luck .... :)

[akcarmean, LPN]

I have kept all my books. Believe it or not I still go to them for reference from time to time.

[Truly_Blessed]

I plan on donating my books to the school when i finish. They change editions so much, it wouldn't be right to try and sell them and then some poor soul get stuck with a book that doesn't go along with everyone else's.

[Still Riding]

I selectively sold some, nutrition, biochem, some electives.

Although i kept, assesment, fundamentals, med/surg... ect

i wanted the money, and never to see some of them again.

[Scavenger'sWife, RN]

I still look stuff up in some of my books. But I did sell many of them (or gave them away). I recommend you keep:

a good A&P book (just one)

a nutrition book

a good med-surg text that covers general disease processes

one (only ONE) on nursing diagnosis/care plans

your medical dictionary (I have Tabers)

a good procedures book

Then keep a specialty book if you go into an area like peds or womens' health - otherwise get rid of them.

If your drug book is over two years old - get rid of it. I replace mine every two years.

Those class notes? Altho I kept mine for 5 years, I finally threw them away. I *NEVER* used them.

That should make your wife feel better about your book situation. But then again - I am the WORST person to tell ANYONE what to do with books. I have hundreds of them! :rotfl:

[Saved_by_Grace]

well since i started the program and had to withdraw not very far into it, i am definitely keeping my books so i can try to get ahead b4 i start back again next fall. then after i graduate the program i plan to donate all my books, supplies, uniforms, to a nursing student that does not have a lot of money to buy the supplies/books they need the following year. and just maybe i can set up some small scholarship at the cc i go to, like maybe a $500 scholarship. not a lot but enough to help some struggling nursing student. that's my plan anyway...:) now if next fall would just hurry up and get here!

[rn undisclosed name]

I might be delusional, but my plan is to do a run-through of ALL of my notes while studying for NCLEX. Then, depending on where I'm working & my evolving career path, I'll pare down.

Umm, no offense or anything but I'd have to agree with you that you're a little delusional. But, hey, it's a nice thought to think you could go through all that stuff.:chuckle

I am only in first semester and bought a new bookshelf cause I knew I'd accumulate a lot of books. So far I have filled up 2 shelves. I plan to keep my books til I'm done with the program and then just keep certain ones.

We could always add up how much these books cost us. Now that would be quite a shock.

Kelly

[aegirl]

If you want to sell any of them, try getting rid of them on Ebay. I'm not in nursing classes yet. I start in January. But I sell the prerequisite books I want to get rid of on there and have had alot of success with it.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

they change editions all the time on us too. i am 2nd year ADN and the med surg book has already changed! they didnt make us buy hte new one, just the first years. new med/surg book, new pharm book, new A&P book. our stuff is out of date except for our own class.

i think after i graduate and pass nclex i will have a book burning party to celebrate. roast those suckers to the ground. (not literally, but sounds like fun. )

lov,e rose

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

oh yeah, my nclex reveiw books i will give to a friend of mine who is going to be starting nursing program fall 2005 right after i graduate in may. no point in giving her my text books the school doesn't even use.

love, rose

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I read on a thread somewhere that the Mosby CAT is an excellent study guide I cannot find one. I looked at Barnes & Noble & Ebay when I saw this post I couldn't believe it so I'm hoping one of ya'll has this book & you want to git rid of it. If you do I'll give you my e-mail & we can go from there. Thanks