Books, books, and more books!

by maire
Jan 8, '03 Views: 2,558 Comments: 12

Egad, I picked up my syllabus today for my first class....THIRTEEN books there are on that thing listed as "required texts." Is this normal?? I have 400 bucks left over after my grants took care of tuition for this semester, but still...13 books?
About maire

Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 1,318; Likes: 41

12 Comments

Topic Closed
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: CCU RN Specialty: 2 year(s) of experience in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele ; Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 516; Likes: 15

Unfortunately, yes that's normal. I also had 13 required. Not to scare you, but I hope your $400 covers it. If you have time, look for used books on the internet. If classes start soon don't let them ship via Media Mail or you'll never get them in time.
Jan 8, '03
Joined: May '01; Posts: 2,979; Likes: 7

Sheesh. My books the first semester of the nursing program were just under a grand. But we've used those books for the whole program, only having to buy 2 or 3 more.

My problem is storing them all.

My home office looks like an F5 hit it.
Jan 8, '03
Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 412

The books for my first semester (14 total) totaled around 700.00. I just bought my books (9 total) for my second semester and they totaled 400.00. Luckily, we will be using several books from last semester.

I too am having trouble figuring out what to do with all of these books. I already have one full book shelf, and since my bedroom is about as big as Barbie's closet, I have no idea where I'm going to keep them all. Maybe I could construct a piece of furniture or something---all those old books have to be good for something.

Last edit by subec on Jan 8, '03
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: Labor & Delivery Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 54

Yup...that sounds about right...I went yesterday and got 9 for $372. Thankfully looks like 4 of the 9 are reference books to be used for the whole program. Hope so anyway!! Thank heavens for financial aid!!!!
Jan 8, '03
Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 256

I am in my last semester and the required books, luckily are ones we have already purchased for earlier semesters. So I spent no money no money this semester on books. The most I ever spent on books was for my first semester.

Brandi
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: Full Time Student Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 394; Likes: 89

I think for my first semester of nursing classes the books were around $750....don't faint...but have only had to buy 1 more book second semester & 1 third semester. So if you look at the $1,000 total for books for 4 semesters....it kinda evens out......still not fun forking out the $$ before the first semester.

I'm with Brandi, last semester and NO NEW "required" books to buy!!!!!!!
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: Outpatient surgery Specialty: 3 year(s) of experience in Peds, Pre and post op ; Joined: Jan '03; Posts: 221; Likes: 2

I had 15 required, plus we have to purchase our syllabus' (syllabi??). I also bought the 3 recommended books. I bought some off half, some off amazon and the rest I had to buy new.
Eek I think Ive already spent $500 and I need a few more so it will come to about $650-700. (our oreintation infor said it would be about $700-$1000 for the books).

The teachers said that we willl only need to buy a few new books though so thats good news

Oh by the way when buying off half.com DO NOT buy form a1techbooks. The book I bought from them arrived damaged so sent them an e-mail via half.com telling them and they said "it wasnt sent damaged", DoH! I dont care if it wasnt damaged before its damaged NOW !! I sent them an email about it but Im still POd about it. Darn it I paid for a new book, I guess If Im going to get new books I will only do it form amazon or Barnes& Noble.com or theschool bookstore. Beware of a1techbooks at half.com. Blech
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: ICU RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 127; Likes: 15

I know how you feel. Today I bought my books for spring semester and I spent $461.95 on twelve books! One of my books isn't in yet, so I hope that one doesn't cost too much extra. I think it's ridiculous how companies jack up their prices so much. Two of these books cost $20 each and they're not even books, they're more like pamphlets! Ugh, I am slightly frustrated right now. Happy book buying!
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: nurse Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 364; Likes: 3

we have a lottery fund here that helps with books or tuition.so,i used me finacila aid for tuition and lottery for books.The total was 700 plus change for 11 books, and some of them were used.
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: new Med-Surg RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 957; Likes: 5

We also got away without buying more books this semester--at least for nursing classes. I will have to buy one for human growth and development. We are using our fundamentals, med-surg, and psych books from last semester. Of course the medical dictionary, drug book, and diagnostic test book are useful all the way through. Personally--if you have a decent library, I would use it. Some of the books you are "required" to have you may only have to read a few sections of. It would be cheaper to copy the sections than to buy the book.
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: ADON-LTC Specialty: 19 year(s) of experience in LTC, ER, ICU, ; Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 5,856; Likes: 36

most of the books needed for my program were bought for first semester. this second semester, 2 are needed as we will be using those from last semester as well.
Jan 8, '03
Occupation: ~Graduate Nurse~ Joined: Apr '01; Posts: 476; Likes: 3

I bought my books yesterday for OB, Peds,Mental Health, 8 total cost over $320, one book was a small, wee little Mosby Pediatric Quick Reference that is about 3" x 5" and about 1/4 " thick that cost $12. Also one of the books on maternal/ped care plans was used and it cost $35. Whewwwww!

Books, books, and more books!

About maire

Must Read Topics