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! 😓
I would also suggest sometimes people like on Ebay only need their hard copy book, so they sell their access codes brand new on there, that may help I have done this a few times. Just have to read the fine print, ensure its for your book's ISBN#, and you will receive the product ontime, so your not late with your studies.
I am in my 6th semester and long and behold my school is also switching over to ebooks, starting next semester. That bring s on a bigger problem for some people because either they are gonna have to print the book off (which is costly), or hopefully they have an IPad or other device.
That's where I plan to apply this fall. I have 2 more prerequisites that I have to take. This $1500 in textbooks is scary, but then again I can plan for it. I've been renting my textbooks so maybe that's an option as well.
I would hold off as long as possible to see if you actually utilize the book. There are great places online you can get them at discounted rates OR there are rent text book websites that are literally like 25% of the price, it gives you access for an entire school year which, lets be honest, is all youre really going to need it for for the touchy feely classes. Purchasing older editions (one or two years older) is also an option that I had to do in order to afford it. Speaking with people in previous years who have the texts that may be willing to part with them for much cheaper. Scrubs can potentially be purchased second hand if possible, if you are required to wear a certain colour. I guarantee there is a sort of forum or something either on facebook or a local site where people will be selling a lot of their stuff (new grads for example). Another option is purchasing with another student, say the rent a book access and sharing a password that way you both win. It is VERY expensive and ridiculous. First year I went and bought the lab books we needed and the anatomy text, to learn that we didn't ever crack it open, the prof posted everything she wanted us to know in slideshows. What a waste let me tell you- unless you are an overachiever who loves to get into it for fun (how you would even have time, I don't even know!). A lot of us shared textbooks, costs for parking at hospitals for clinical, carpooled, that sort of thing. Also if you do well enough grade wise there are plenty of scolarships and bursaries to apply for- apply for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING - many times students don't always even apply for them and they just get thrown back into the pot! Good luck!!
What school? Ours "required" the Ebooks ($750). Which was a load of garbage. I ended up getting used copies (or renting) of everything I needed for less than $300.
What books do you need? I didn't go there but I just graduated and have tons of books that I would happily get to you for much cheaper. I'm in Kittery.
I know how you feel. Those nursing textbooks are sooo expensive! I went through the same thing last year and funny thing was that I hardly even needed to open the books! I maybe opened them 4-5 times just to get clarification on a topic, but other than that I never used them. Same goes for access codes, unless they said you REALLY need them. Some of my professors would tell us that we wouldn't even need the book when we got to class, so it helped me save some money. I would see if you could talk to people who have had the professors you'll be having and see if they relied heavily on the textbooks for studying. If the editions you need haven't been updated from those that the past students have used, maybe they'll be willing to sell to you for a lower price! Best of luck in school! :)
First check with the students in the class ahead of you for books to buy. But always check with the profs to make sure they will be using the same edition or if you can use an earlier edition. The campus bookstore is usually very expensive!! Even for rentals, so check around. Look at Amazon in the used book section. Remember most of the used books do not have access codes. You can pull the books up by ISBN. Some of the used books will come with access codes. If you find one that does, email the seller and make sure that the code has not been activated, so that it is still accessible. If you can't find used books with the access codes still avail, then you will have to buy new ones. As for other books that are 'reference books". How often are you going to use them. See if your college library has a copy on file to be used as a reference. Some of the needed reference books you should buy because you will be using them often. Ie pharm, care plans, etc. You can also rent books off of Amazon. Just be aware of the dates of the rental. Some schools have dates that do not coincide with Amazons rental dates but you can always extend your rentals for a small price. My daughter just finished school and I used all of the above techniques to get her books. Saved a bundle but I did quite a bit of research before purchasing any of them. Good luck.
That's where I plan to apply this fall. I have 2 more prerequisites that I have to take. This $1500 in textbooks is scary, but then again I can plan for it. I've been renting my textbooks so maybe that's an option as well.
Well definitely let me know if you get in so I can save the books that I do have to buy! What pre-reqs do you have left? Good luck!
Calculations of Drug Dosages 9780323310697 (She did say the older edition was okay)
Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills 9781451192711 (Don't need access)
Physical Examination and Health Assessment w/Dvd 9780323077989
The rest are access codes. I got one of my books from my neighbor and I found someone who had 2 other books on my list. These are the only hard copies I have to get.
What books do you need? I didn't go there but I just graduated and have tons of books that I would happily get to you for much cheaper. I'm in Kittery.
Calculations of Drug Dosages 9780323310697 (She did say the older edition was okay)
Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills 9781451192711 (Don't need access)
Physical Examination and Health Assessment w/Dvd 9780323077989
The rest are access codes. I got one of my books from my neighbor and I found someone who had 2 other books on my list. These are the only hard copies I have to get.
First check with the students in the class ahead of you for books to buy. But always check with the profs to make sure they will be using the same edition or if you can use an earlier edition. The campus bookstore is usually very expensive!! Even for rentals, so check around. Look at Amazon in the used book section. Remember most of the used books do not have access codes. You can pull the books up by ISBN. Some of the used books will come with access codes. If you find one that does, email the seller and make sure that the code has not been activated, so that it is still accessible. If you can't find used books with the access codes still avail, then you will have to buy new ones. As for other books that are 'reference books". How often are you going to use them. See if your college library has a copy on file to be used as a reference. Some of the needed reference books you should buy because you will be using them often. Ie pharm, care plans, etc. You can also rent books off of Amazon. Just be aware of the dates of the rental. Some schools have dates that do not coincide with Amazons rental dates but you can always extend your rentals for a small price. My daughter just finished school and I used all of the above techniques to get her books. Saved a bundle but I did quite a bit of research before purchasing any of them. Good luck.
I have been searching Facebook religiously but I have yet to find a textbook thread. The one that my college did use and inactive. I have checked Craigslist and nothing comes up in my area. I have asked friends and I did find 2 books a friend had and my neighbor had another. Oh, I could not express my gratitude enough. I can't find anyone who is in the semester ahead of me simply because they are not on campus when I am and finals for the summer started this week. I'm going to try again on Tuesday when I go back up there. Maybe I'll stand in front of the building with a sign that says, "WILL BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS...for cheap :) "
Yikes! Sorry you have to pay so much. I found some of mine on craigslist, amazon, and half.com. They were all pretty much brand new.
Do you have a local NSNA chapter? My local chapter had a sale at the beginning of the semester. I got a brand new care plan book for $5. They also have a FB page, which would be a good place to ask others if they would sell or loan you some books. My experience is that nursing students stick together and really try to help each other out.
Barnantoin
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I would also suggest sometimes people like on Ebay only need their hard copy book, so they sell their access codes brand new on there, that may help I have done this a few times. Just have to read the fine print, ensure its for your book's ISBN#, and you will receive the product ontime, so your not late with your studies.
I am in my 6th semester and long and behold my school is also switching over to ebooks, starting next semester. That bring s on a bigger problem for some people because either they are gonna have to print the book off (which is costly), or hopefully they have an IPad or other device.