My school says to only buy books from their bookstore...

Nursing Students General Students

Published

In almost every piece of correspondence I have received since I was accepted to my program (which I will be starting next month), it has been mentioned for us not to buy ANY of our 15 books used OR online or anywhere besides the school. The reasons cited are that we won't get the access codes then and it will end up costing even more to get them.

If I purchase books from a third party that are designated as "Brand New", I shouldn't have an issue right? I don't know why there are pushing it so hard. I actually had called the program director for a question on some of my paperwork before and she even mentioned not to purchase any books until after out "boot camp" nursing program orientation because we might not get the right books.

Maybe I am misunderstanding, but I have been purchasing books from elsewhere for the past two years while completing my pre-reqs and I think I am capable of getting the right books with the access codes.

Am I missing something here? What do you guys think?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

If some of the titles are "Recommended Reading" material, yes, get those from Amazon, etc; otherwise wait for the "boot camp", investigate what the packages look like, and if codes can be bought separate, find out totals for both options (bookstore vs. Amazon, B&N, etc) and THEN make an informed decision.

0 Votes

Our school custom built a packet for our first semester. About one month before that semester started, the same exact packet was offered on amazon. All it took was a call to the bookstore to verify the ISBN's. They weren't thrilled about giving them out, but did so nonetheless. The packet on amazon saved me over $250, and everything was new, so the codes worked.

0 Votes
Specializes in MED-Surg; IMCU; PACU.

I have never bought any of my books from the bookstore and all of my books have had access codes for The Point and/or Evolve.Elsevier. The majority of my books have been bought thru Amazon (with student prime membership, giving me free 2 day shipping). The bookstore at my college marks up the cost about 300% and I can't afford that. I would question someone about that policy. It seems like that would be against the law or something. Good luck!!

0 Votes
Our school custom built a packet for our first semester. About one month before that semester started, the same exact packet was offered on amazon. All it took was a call to the bookstore to verify the ISBN's. They weren't thrilled about giving them out, but did so nonetheless. The packet on amazon saved me over $250, and everything was new, so the codes worked.

And luckily for me, my college has an online version of their bookstore where the ISBN #s are always listed with the books on the site and it pulls the books up when searching by class and course number. They are listed months in advance. That's why I think I shouldn't have any problems getting the correct books from amazon.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment