Asking for Material Early

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2003

It sounds smart to me if they have them ready, many professors who have been there a long time teaching the same courses have a very similar syllabus from year to year. At our school however they don't get the books in for the semester at the bookstore till a couple days before classes start. If you're at a bigger school though that might not be a problem, or you could get the books online. Hope this helps!

geleesa · Mar 13, 2003

jenn- i think u should do it! Why not? If all the books are available go for it (I wish I would have thought of that last semester..lol)

good luck, girl!

YOU ARE A SUPASTAH!!!!!!!!

Katnip, RN · Mar 13, 2003

Go for it. But make sure that the books that are in the bookstore are the same they're going to use in the fall. Sometimes they'll switch books on you, not just editions.

javamom · Mar 13, 2003

I would say go for it too. Although, the flip side, they may not have the stuff ready yet.

When I started nursing, I wanted everything early and they didn't have it until 2 weeks before school started. The syllabus, we could purchase at the book store, right after our orientation, but that was only 3-4 wks before classes started.

It never hurts to ask, the worst they say is "no, it's not ready".

nurse-in-boots · Mar 13, 2003

I tried that on my first semester. They gave me a list of books with my acceptace letter, but told me that syllabus would be passed out first day of class. The whole first week was nothing but ERI, and going over syllabus.

as for books, 1st sems cost me around $ 600. Mostly due to Medical dictionary, drug book, diagnosis book, care plan book. Stuff that you use from semester to semester. This year, books only ran me around $ 380.

Good luck to you.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2003

Yes, I think it's great to ask ahead....some in my class are hoping to get prepared over summer for 2nd semester-----however, there is talk of changing editions or books, so we might not be able get a headstart.

jdomep · Mar 13, 2003

My dumb school wouldn't even give us our book list until 2 weeks before classes I hope you can because i think it would be helpful to you

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 13, 2003

Be careful if you purchase things far in advance. The instructor may change the textbook required for the class and/or there may be a new additions published.

If you really WANT to spend the money now because you have it, why don't you just set it aside for now? Put it in a separate acount or something if necessary so that you don't spend it.

llg

NurseDixie · Mar 13, 2003

Just make sure they aren't going to change books by the time you start classes. Sometimes they get new editions, etc. I'd check with the nursing dept and see if the books are going to be changing any time soon.

essarge · Mar 13, 2003

At our school, the instuctors will have to have the list of books needed into the bookstore before summer. I usually just call the bookstore and they give me the books that the instructor's have ordered. They are getting ready to change our med/surg book so I'll be trying to find out which one they will be using so I can get it over the summer. I always try to at least read through the book before class starts....great way to get a head start!

As far as syllubi are concerned, we don't get ours until the semester begins...and then sometimes not until two - three weeks into the semester. I don't even bother asking anymore, I just look at the old one and take my "hints" from there.

Hope this helps.

AmyLiz · Mar 14, 2003

Go for it! :)

If I were you, I'd go to the instructor and ask him/her if he has a syllabus and/or books picked out for the course. You definately don't want to get burned by having them switch books or editions on you. :eek: