Holy cow! My book total is how much?!

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I am starting my first semester Aug. 20th and I've been trying to work on my textbooks here and there but I feel like I'm not getting anywhere! Our bookstore has duplicate items on our list and almost everything says "with access" so I decided I would email the instructors. 13 books & required items btw. Lo and behold! Instead of needing 8 access codes, I only need 3 which was, notice I say was, a huge relief because I was told we could get the ebook package edition (2 of the 3) or just the hard copies. I was all for the hard copy books because they were at least $100 cheaper. Well, that isn't the case anymore. Apparently, our required materials are the package editions because the hard copies don't come with the access and homework codes. One package is $160. The other is $222. The "other" access code we need is for a virtual lab homework $110.65. These can only be purchased at our college. Go figure. After exchanging emails with one professor, she realized the bookstore had forgotten 3 more items off her syllabus. Totaling 7 texts and 1 misc. for just her class. I am so frustrated with all of these costs! Right now, the cost is sitting around $1500-$1600. I've exhausted search engines, book comparison sites, etc. I've already spent around $200 on just supplies, scrubs, stethoscope, etc. on top of school shopping for my 2nd grader. Not to mention the doctor visit for all the shots, drug screen, physical, etc. I know the first semester is always the most expensive but I just really need to vent. I'm sorry for complaining and I am grateful for being accepted but I had to get it off my chest! 😓

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Specializes in PCT, RN.

Going through the same thing.

My suggestion is to get ahold of someone ahead of you and see what books they used a lot and which ones they didn't and which ones they used for multiple semesters. This can give you an idea of books you can avoid buying altogether or just renting for the semester (way cheaper option). You can also look into buying used. There's a good buy, sell, trade Facebook group for nursing students for books.

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Going through the same thing.

My suggestion is to get ahold of someone ahead of you and see what books they used a lot and which ones they didn't and which ones they used for multiple semesters. This can give you an idea of books you can avoid buying altogether or just renting for the semester (way cheaper option). You can also look into buying used. There's a good buy, sell, trade Facebook group for nursing students for books.

I have a friend who graduated last year and almost all of her books have been retired, save two. Our college, I believe, is transitioning to e-texts and we all know this have to be bought at w/e price they want to stick us with. I can rent one book from Amazon though. Thank you for the tip on the FB page. I'm going to check it out.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I agree with the first response in seeing which books people actually used. My school required I think 10 -12 books. I dont know the exact number because I bought them all but have only used like 4 of them on a regular basis. Our instructors lecture really well and I only used the books as supplimental for things I dont understand from lecture, or to research for my careplans. I am about to start my final semester and wasted so much money. Especially because in block 3 we had to buy like 3 more books for OB and Peds. I also barely touched those but had to buy them for careplan research. Obviously the access codes seem necessary becasue they have you homework tied into them, but maybe not all the books are. Also look into previous editions of the required books. Most have minimally if any new info, and the difference will be that chapters may change orders or different pictures might be added and such. Usually not any changes major enough to effect your learning. Only problem could be is if your instructor assigns from the practice questions or case studies from the end of chapters, but even then you could get those questions from a friend in class. Basically, try to get a feel for what you instructors will require of you and go from there. You may even be able to get away with just buying a few of the books now that can get you through the first few lectures, and get the rest down the road as you need them. If you need them at all. GL and congrats

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I used older editions during school. Saved a ton of money and never regretted it! Most of them are nearly the same.

RN BSN

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Specializes in PACU.

Yikes! $1500??? My books this semester only cost around $500 brand new. Are any of the books available as an e-text? Our instructor gave us the option of an e-text or hard copy.

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You aren't going to HCC by chance are you? Thats where Im going, and they are switching to ebooks, and its kinda rediculous.

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I would love to use older editions, however, some are over 4 years old and I am apprehensive about. I haven't been able to ask anyone about books that we actually use because it seems like when I go to campus, they aren't anywhere to be found! I have definitely looked into e-texts as well. 3 of our e-texts have to be bundled because they include coursepoint, prepu, the e-text, and an access code. The rest of the books I've been looking into buying used and hopefully renting but they are still expensive to rent as well. I'm trying to avoid my campus bookstore as much as possible and get what I can without being charged an arm and a leg.

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You aren't going to HCC by chance are you? Thats where Im going, and they are switching to ebooks, and its kinda rediculous.

No, I actually don't know where that is. I am going to USM.

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I'm right there with you. Those access codes are awful--it costs so much money just to be able to do your homework. I hate how much eduction costs. :no:

Thankfully, the rest of the semesters will be way cheaper than this first semester is.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I understand your frustration & dismay. This is a perennial issue for nursing students... it was the same back in the dark ages (when the earth's crust was still cooling) - e.g., my student days. Only we didn't have the option of e-anything. Massive costs; massive textbooks.... hmm, maybe they were getting us in shape for all that heavy lifting in clinical practicums? I wonder which (tuition or textbook costs) has risen more rapidly over the years. . .

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I understand your frustration & dismay. This is a perennial issue for nursing students... it was the same back in the dark ages (when the earth's crust was still cooling) - e.g., my student days. Only we didn't have the option of e-anything. Massive costs; massive textbooks.... hmm, maybe they were getting us in shape for all that heavy lifting in clinical practicums? I wonder which (tuition or textbook costs) has risen more rapidly over the years. . .

Indeed! Our tuition went up this summer as it did 2 summers ago. All this "We NEED a $1 million gym on our secondary campus (no I am NOT kidding) but we do not have the expenditures for adequate parking because of 'funding'." 😒

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