How much do books cost you per semester?

Gator,SN · Mar 12, 2003

I spent over $500 the first semester. The good thing for me is that as time has gone on, the books have been less and less in quantity and so has the price. This is my last semester and I had to buy 1 required book (psyche nursing $93)

Good luck to you with school and the upcoming wedding!

Gator

memphispanda, RN · Mar 12, 2003

The first semester I spent about $400 on books. Second semester I spent about $200 on books. This semester I didn't have to buy any books. (Hooray!) I'll have to buy at least $200 in books next semester for peds and OB, and I have no idea about the last semester.

emily_mom · Mar 12, 2003

1st semester-$600

2nd semester-$150

3rd semester-$17

4th semester- $0

The books you buy at the beginning will follow you through the program. Second semester had Pharm and Nutrition. 3rd sem. just had a supply bag for skills. I didn't buy a Patho book and never needed it. The last semester we didn't need anything.

Good luck!

KimRN03 · Mar 12, 2003

Just like everyone else....books tend to cost more the beginning of your program because you need absolutely everything. Mine the first semester cost $500, but I am in my third semester and it didn't cost me a dime. I did buy things like RNotes and Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy, but those were to help me, not required. Save your money for a rainy day at the bookstore.

Mithrah · Mar 13, 2003

I paid between $500 and $600 my first semester. If you are really tight on cash you may want to speak to other nurses at the school and find out which books are used a lot and which ones aren't. If there is a book that is hardly used, you may want to go to the school's library and check it out instead of buying it.

I have one teacher that gives us her typed notes and tests over just that, so the text book is just extra reading really.

Nursing schools have books that are required, and some that are opptional. Just remember that required doesn't necessarily mean you'll actually use the book in class.

I hope this helps. BTW, I am not saying not to buy the required books. This is just an idea.

natsfanrn · Mar 13, 2003

And make sure you save all receipts because they are tax deductible :)

PowerPuffGirl · Mar 13, 2003

Sometimes, you can luck out and find them used, in good condition, on ebay.com, amazon.com, or powells.com, so it's worth a try.

Another thing that might work is if your school has any bulletin boards you could stick flyers up on- "Wanted, XXXX Book, willing to pay $xx.xx"

Katnip, RN · Mar 13, 2003

My first semester of nursing school books cost over $800. The security guard was laughing at the look on my face when I walked out. Youalso might want to bring an extra pair of hands to help you carry them out. There tends to be a lot of them first semester.

But a lot of those were used for more than one semester. Second semester was like $400. Third semester $350, and this last semester cost me about $75.

javamom · Mar 13, 2003

Unfortunately, my school requires all texts except peds, OB and psych books the first semester. So I spent 950.00 my first semester! But I'll only have a few books to buy my next 3 semesters. (I hope they're telling the truth) :chuckle

emily_mom · Mar 13, 2003

Originally posted by PowerPuffGirl
Sometimes, you can luck out and find them used, in good condition, on ebay.com, amazon.com, or powells.com, so it's worth a try.

Another thing that might work is if your school has any bulletin boards you could stick flyers up on- "Wanted, XXXX Book, willing to pay $xx.xx"

Good advice! I bought most of my books (except for 1st semester when I didn't know better...) online.

Try:

http://www.half.com

http://www.bn.com

or just do a search for "cheap textbooks" and you'll get an oodle of sights! Watch out for shipping though. Barnes and Noble offers free shipping on two books.

Kristy

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2003

And don't forget about the cost of a suitcase or a backpack on wheels to cart all those books around. They are heavy!!!!!