Cheap or Loan Textbooks

Nursing Students General Students

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I am currently a 1st semester Nursing student is is having a hard time locating some of my textbooks. As most college students, money is a big factor. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Is it possible to find students who are a semester ahead of you so you can buy their books? Just make sure they are the current book that YOUR professors are using. Your school bookstore should have both new and used textbooks. But you normally have to get there as soon as possible so that all the used texts aren't bought.

Ebay is another idea.

Specializes in ICU.

Try amazon.com. I have found many used books there.

Specializes in PICU.

half.com rocks for used textbooks. just be SURE you have the right edition.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Make sure you use the ISBN that is listed for your books to search for them if you buy them somewhere other than the school bookstore....that way, you'll be sure to have the right edition for your classes...

You can find them at Amazon or eBay or Barnes & Noble (bn.com), but when you find the book at Amazon or bn, look to the right or somewhere else where it shows cheaper prices from "used booksellers" or whatever indicates it's another source other than from them directly....those are often the cheaper editions, but you really need to read the ratings of those sellers to be sure you have a lesser chance of being ripped off....

Make sure you read the fine print on shipping too - with Amazon Marketplace they don't always offer overnight or two day, and the standard allows them up to 21 days to get the product to you. Order early if at all possible, then you get the cheapest prices and don't need to pay for quicker shipping.

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I've gotten mine from nurses at work, other students who've graduated, half.com, search for used textbooks at yahoo then go to the sites and find the best deal for as quick as you can get them. It's important to have books, especially if you have a teacher who believes in "old-school" lecturing. No powerpoints/fancy technolectures.....

Specializes in Emergency.

I ordered mine off the computer - VarsityBooks.com. I had them shipped to a friend in a bordering state to avoid the state sales tax.

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

So far I've found the best deals at abebooks.com. I usually get the International Edition. The only books I've bought through the school was when the book came bundled with a whole package that I couldn't get online. Also, ask your professor if an older edition will do the trick. Sometimes they tell you that you can get by with the last edition and they are dirt cheap.

(BTW isn't it weird how short the shelf life for textbooks is? The textbook when new goes for over a hundred bucks but once it's a couple of years old it's worth less than $5.)

Specializes in Peds.

You could also try ebay. That's where my books have been and will be listed. It works out for me and they buyer. The buyer gets to book for about half price and I get well over double what the school would give me for it.

I always find out what books I will need, get the ISBNs and look on ebay. I have bought about 75% of my books that way, the rest I have gotten from other students. Talk to the students ahead of you, or put up a sign that says"used textbooks wanted/will pay."

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I purchased my A&P bundle online from Ebay. For the flat rate of $29 I received the textbook, workbook, lab manual, and CD-ROM. The items were used, but in excellent condition with no highlights or markings.

http://www.Ebay.com

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