Do you use your TEXT BOOK?

[bioniclewoman]

I feel sick when I think about the money I spent on my text books when I have hardly had to opened them. I have so many handouts, notes I take in class, notes others took, online component, computer CDs, and reference books that I haven't needed my text book much at all. I'm getting good grades too. I was told (by a student further in the program) that some students in her classes swear they never did crack the text all semester. They just did online quizes and study guides and got A's on the test. Anyone else not using their very expensive text books?

[beck_79]

I use them all the time and highlight the heck out of them. :) I feel like I have to study for two different types of tests with Nursing: the exams that the teachers give (I focus on the lecture and powerpoint for these) and then there is the HESI, which I've found my textbooks to be very helpful. It's worked pretty well for me so far. I figure it'll help with the NCLEX, too.

[Dream2BANurse]

I use my fundamentals book the most and even then still not very often except to practice the nclex questions at the end of each chapter. My assessment book and pharmacology book have been used very little.

[RhodyGirl, RN]

Yes, I use my text books. I read the assigned chapters, then move to powerpoints/notes.....then back to text to clarify what I don't understand in the notes. Everyone just does what works best for them...

[Annisme]

Yes, I have used all of my text books and done all the assigned reading (even for Pharm tests on 50 chapters). It just happens to be the way I learn the best. I also used the PowerPoints, notes I have taken and the ATI books...whatever I can get my hands on that will help me get through NS and pass the NCLEX!

[bimmersbabe]

At first I tried my darnedest to read all the chapters assigned - however I am a slow reader and that was very detrimental. So, then I switched to studing the in class notes and used the book as a resource for information that I needed to clarify. This worked very well for me. I also made sure that I reviewed the items in boxes in the chapters for a test. The practice tests were also helpful. I just quit reading it word for word.

[bekindtokittens]

I use my textbooks a lot. I do the assigned reading before the lecture, because it helps me retain the lecture material. If I don't understand the basic concept in lecture, there's no way I'm going to grasp any subtle nuances the teacher throws out there.

[tbanurse]

I can honestly say that I read every chapter of the Med/Surg text and every assigned chapter of all of the other texts, all prior to attending lecture for those subjects. I felt prepared going into class that way. I have to say that a major pet peeve of mine was having to listen to questions from other students who obviously had not read the material, and the instructor had to spend 3/4 of the lecture time covering what they should already have known. I felt it took time away from those of us who were prepared, and did not allow for further in-depth discussion of the subject or the ability to apply the information to real-life scenarios. I have never been a great reader, and it always puts me to sleep, but I felt it was my obligation to obtain the information prior to lecture, rather than just relying on the powerpoints provided by the instructors.

[Melinurse]

I used my texts more than anything else.

Same here! Now that I'm an RN I am glad I spent the extra time to really do the reading. I agree it was ALOT to take in and the tests did not cover half of what was in the chapters and most test questions came from lectures or powerpoints, but they ask you to read those chapters for a reason. :heartbeat

[Jinx500]

I always read the textbooks. The first time - I read the chapters as if they were a really boring novel... lol. I don't try to memorize or even to understand completely. I read them to get some sort of understanding for when I sit in lecture. And, believe it or not - it helps. Then on... I concentrate on the lectures and power-points - but, I always go back to the text before the exams to brush up. You'd be surprised how much more sense it makes the second time around.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I used my texts more than anything else.

Me too.

I wouldn't rely ONLY on someone's powerpoints to pass the NCLEX.

Wanna bet there will be stuff from"those textbooks" on the boards?

Just my

PS I ALWAYS read the assigned chapters... but hey, to each their own

[jazz404]

This is one of the things that really bothers me - I hear a number of people complaining about reading the text or saying that we shouldn't have had to spend all that money on the books, etc.

Diane makes a good point - which is especially true in ADN and excelerated programs. We get notes and powerpoints, but they don't cover everything that's in the text. Studying for the course test is fine for getting through school, but the NCLEX will draw from every area of the text. I'd rather read it now than try to cram it all in later.

[nursetwobe]

I read some of the books but it depends what class it is for. Right now I am taking 16 credits plus 3 no credit labs. I feel like I am so swamped plus working. There is just no way I could read for all my classes. The nursing classes are much easier for reading than nutrition and microbiology...even pharm is a tough read. Plus most of my teachers don't test over the book.