essential books for nursing students

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What books do you guys recommend for a 1st semester nursing student? Looking for books that will (hopefully) make life just a little easier in NS.

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I'm curious about this as well. Anything needed besides what will already be on the required book list? A secret weapon? I'd heard a good NCLEX prep book can help with studying. Any of the 150+ choices out there stand out from the pack for that purpose? Thanks for the help...

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I start in the Fall, off of other threads I read on here I bought, Pharmacology made incredibly easy. (it is like 800 pages long so I hate to see just the Easy or Regular version :stone)

I also bought, Fluid and Electrolytes made incredibly easy. We went over this in Pathophysiology that I just got done with, but I don't feel like I got it down GREAT and my teacher and tons of nursing students said that this will be crucial to grasp, that is vital in Nursing School. So I got that to help me as well.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_1_20?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pharmacology+made+incredibly+easy&sprefix=Pharmacology+made+in

I also got this computer program for Dosage and Calculations so I can make sure I have a strong grasp on this beforehand since we have to pass the tests 100% on it.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Calculating-Drug-Dosages/Sandra-Luz-Martinez-de-Castillo/e/9780803615328/?itm=1

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Get a couple of NCLEX prep books includung a large question bank that can be sorted by system or topic with good rationale. I used Saunders Q&A because they not only rationale but strategy to approach each question. I loved Pearsons Exam Prep for the content but not the test bank. Illustrated Study Guide was recomended and helpful. I also went online and order their CD of graphics. I got as many of my resorce books on PDA as possible so I had everything with me at the patient's bedside/chart.

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I agree with the NCLEX prep book. Personally, I like Prentice Hall.

One thought: I wouldn't invest anything in extra books until I saw the study aides that came with the required text books. Most now come with CDs and access to web sites that are pretty useful. They usually feature NCLEX-style practice questions.

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I am waiting until I receive my acceptance letter but I also like the Prentice Hall NCLEX-RN reviews and rationales, and have heard good things many times now about the Fluid and Electrolytes MIE book. I also got the Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy (I am currently taking Pharm) and I bought RN notes for clinicals.

I am kind of a book fanatic so I am going to attempt to keep it to a minimum. If I can contain myself until the 23rd of June I will get my booklist that day!

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I agree with the NCLEX prep book. Personally, I like Prentice Hall.

One thought: I wouldn't invest anything in extra books until I saw the study aides that came with the required text books. Most now come with CDs and access to web sites that are pretty useful. They usually feature NCLEX-style practice questions.

My stuff all came with study aids, but each chapter had about 14-16 questions total; CD, web, and end of chapter. The chapters are really big so 14-16 questions wasn't nearly enough questions to study with. NCLEX books are a good investment because you will use them all through nursing school, and then after to study for NCLEX. They definitely teach you how to answer this type of test question and you will absolutely get your money's worth out of them! The Incredibly Easy books are good too, but I agree you should wait and see if you will really need them before investing money.

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This is probably a stupid question but can you buy these books at like B&N or only online? Thanks....

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Yes, I got mine at Borders, but you can get them at B&N, Amazon.com, even Half.com or Ebay. Just be sure to get as current a edition as you can, esp with books related to Pharmacology or any drug book.

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Ok thanks! I thought so, just wanted to be sure before going to the bookstore.

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Sure you can buy them at the store, but why would you want to. They are about double the price in the store vs online (used). However, it is nice to be able to flip through them before you buy them, if that is why you were asking. For study manual type books I do not buy them used unless they are "like new". However, some people actually buy them in terrible condition. I accidentally did and was even able to turn around and sell it!

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Some books that I think are essential:

* Physical Examination & Health Assessment by Caroline Jarvis

* Calculate With Confidence by Deborah Gray Morris

* Nursing Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy

* Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy

* a drug book!

* a nursing care plan book! or care plan cards...I like Sparks & Taylor's Nursing Care Plan cards. A nursing care plan book by Carpenito-Moyet was a requirement for my school but I don't really like using it that much - to me it is kind of confusing. The care plan cards are great imo!

* a lab value book!

* Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

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