Ebooks? Some, all or none??

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello,

I debating on whether to buy ebooks. I do prefer a book that I can flip through but I'm thinking cost and having to carry them all. I was thinking maybe I can a few ebooks and wondering which ones you have used the least that would be ok to buy as an ebook? Help please:)

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I got all my books in hard copy and then got the books I use most in ebook format, as well. I use my hard copies at home when I'm doing my highlighting and reading, because I really like/need that tactile way of doing things.

When I'm studying for tests, in class, and in clinical I don't drag all of my books around if I can avoid it, so having my important books with my on my iPad is great. The searchability is great when I just need to reread about a topic or search for a patient's particular problem.

I didn't buy the ones I use least, because they're primarily tiny and paperback - not very heavy and only necessary for a short period.

I am a huge e-reader love, but I bought hard copies of all of my textbooks. Mostly because I could find used ones cheaper online than what the ebooks cost, and I was able to sell the ones I didn't want at the end of the semester. Plus, for me, I like to be able to flip around pages as I need and highlight important sections.

personally I would hate to have all my books on ebooks because of how I like to read. What I did, however, was the super thick books I had the binding cut off and had them 3-hole punched and I put them in a binder. For each exam, I would take out the required pages of reading and would put them in the binder I bring to class that has my power point printouts and stuff. Then I had the inforamtion with me without the bulk of the book

I had to buy the school's package which included the "real" books and ebooks. I actually am really enjoying the ebooks. It's easy to highlight and take notes (my books are from Elsevier), and I love having all my books on my tablet. The cheapest option is probably to buy used online, but if you're wanting the convenience, I think ebooks are a good choice.

ETA: Don't forget to check out if you can keep the ebook forever, as in, a permanent download, or if it is one of those 180 day access codes or whatever. Also, if you want your ebooks on more than just a laptop, make sure you check to see what devices the company is compatible with.

At my school, when buying ebooks alone they are only about $10-20 cheaper than a regular book. I buy my books online and many nursing books, when bought new, have access codes for their website. Often the websites have quizzes, study materials and access to the book.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have most of my books as ebooks because I was not about to carry those heavy books around for 2 years. The only books I didn't get as ebooks were my checklist book and the little pocket guides I needed to carry with me to clinicals. Although I still find myself pulling out my phone and looking things up in clinical rather than refer to my books. I love the ebooks, especially for the links and the quick and ease of getting to references. It's whatever works best for you though. Either way you will be able to read, highlight, or whatever else you need to do. Good Luck in school!

Oh you should watch the publisher's website for specials too. Actually 2 of my ebooks were cheaper than Amazon's hardcopy and ebook because the publisher was having a special. Note that if you buy a Kindle version of an ebook, it may be a copy of the textbook. So, you may or may not have page numbers or links. Just make sure you check before you order. Amazon does sell some of the ebooks that come from the publishers for pretty cheap.

I would really recommend the ebooks. I initially did not think I would like them, and opted for hard copies. They were a constant hassle for me, mostly because I am always running around to school work and staying at my boyfriends house. I was always trying to remember which books I might need while I was away from home and which ones I needed to bring to class. Thankfully one of my classmates shared his kno username with me, so I now have all the ebooks on my iPad. It is absolutely amazing, they are laid out just like the textbook, and I don't have to remember a million things, everything is right there on the iPad. If you don't really need to flip through the pages or physically write and hi-lite, they really are a life saver.

personally I would hate to have all my books on ebooks because of how I like to read. What I did however, was the super thick books I had the binding cut off and had them 3-hole punched and I put them in a binder. For each exam, I would take out the required pages of reading and would put them in the binder I bring to class that has my power point printouts and stuff. Then I had the inforamtion with me without the bulk of the book[/quote']good idea thanks
I had to buy the school's package which included the "real" books and ebooks. I actually am really enjoying the ebooks. It's easy to highlight and take notes (my books are from Elsevier) and I love having all my books on my tablet. The cheapest option is probably to buy used online, but if you're wanting the convenience, I think ebooks are a good choice. ETA: Don't forget to check out if you can keep the ebook forever, as in, a permanent download, or if it is one of those 180 day access codes or whatever. Also, if you want your ebooks on more than just a laptop, make sure you check to see what devices the company is compatible with.[/quote']thanks I wouldn't have thought about that
I would really recommend the ebooks. I initially did not think I would like them and opted for hard copies. They were a constant hassle for me, mostly because I am always running around to school work and staying at my boyfriends house. I was always trying to remember which books I might need while I was away from home and which ones I needed to bring to class. Thankfully one of my classmates shared his kno username with me, so I now have all the ebooks on my iPad. It is absolutely amazing, they are laid out just like the textbook, and I don't have to remember a million things, everything is right there on the iPad. If you don't really need to flip through the pages or physically write and hi-lite, they really are a life saver.[/quote']i don't have any friends yet so we will see bout sharing :)

My school requires is to have all Ebooks and I hate them. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.

I miss beautiful hard paper heavy text books sigh.

I purchased most of my nursing texts as hard copies and as e-books; my assessment book (Jarvis) and my psych and community health books were hard copy only; my maternal-child was e-book only.

I have since thrown away every hard copy except the critical care book and I occasionally go back to my ebooks because they're so easy to search.

Personally, I prefer real books (brand new, at that) but have found ebooks to be much more practical and useful over the long haul (that is, the years after nursing school). I have 10 book shelves in my house and have had to be brutal in choosing what should stay and what should go.

Bytes are so much easier to store than books.

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