How do you feel about using an old edition of a book for nursing school?

[Kran1990]

I am about to start purchasing books for nursing school and I am trying to save some money by buying the older editions of the books I need. Do you think this will hinder me in the nursing program?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

It's hard to say. In most cases, buying the one year old edition probably won't hurt, since the information won't change drastically in a year. However, the bigger issue is whether your instructor uses the book for test questions, syllabi, and assignments. Sometimes instructors will pull test questions from the study guides or review sections in the text book. If your older edition has different questions, you'll be at a disadvantage. Likewise, if you get a syllabus at the beginning of the year that has specific page numbers, diagrams, etc. that you need to know, your older edition might not match up the the syllabus and you could end up doing the wrong assignments. Or if your instructor provides study guides for tests based on the page numbers or diagram numbers in the book, you could have trouble studying the right material for tests.

Rather than buying old editions, can you check amazon for used books? Or post on your school's website to try to find students who have already taken the course and who are willing to sell their books? Or find another student in the same class as you and agree to split the cost of the books and share them? (This works especially well if your school offers the same class in two different time slots.)

Either way, I really wouldn't buy a book more than one edition behind the assigned book. You never know what information will have changed from one edition to the next.

[ChinitaDulceNurse2]

I would recommend to purchase the new book or used book from amazon. I know that in my program my teacher uses alot of questions from it and activity from the dvd that comes with it.

By use on amazon or cheggs...but dont fo with the older version,you could be at disadvantage!

[BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I also recommend finding the book used on amazon or Chegg. If you really can save a significant amount by getting the previous edition, you might email the instructor to see if that will be okay to use. If the instructor approves I would then recommend studying with someone who has the newer edition and check out the review questions. Good luck!!

[meluvsquki]

Some of my instructors actually used older edition books. I did too and I would just compare my book with the newest one from a friend. I saved money by renting books also.

[Melissa0181]

I would say it all depends on your finances. An older book is better than no book but realize there will be some changes that occur with each addition. These changes may include new chapters or new/deleted/updated pictures and tables plus confusion over page numbers that your instructors may be referring to. I had several classmates that used older edition books and they did just fine academically speaking.

[northmississippi]

id say give it a go, you probably wont read it anyway. but just get the prior edition and not one from ten years ago. you can look at barnes and noble and compare table of contents.

[caliotter3]

I've had instructors tell us to get the old ones if we want to save money. One would give references for both editions when the new edition came out as our course was starting. I would always ask the instructor if it makes a difference before buying. But for the most part, it won't matter.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

My personal opinion is that the book business is a big scam. An acquaintance of mine writes text for nusing and the publisher changes to "new" editions periodically without consulting her for updated information. As far as she can determine, the only change is the cover. Since the body does not change a lot I would say older editions are ok most of the time. Check with the instructor and/or the school library. They may not have the newest version either.

[ImKosher]

If I can buy it used I will. It's kind of questionable though when it comes to your nursing books. You would want the most up to date information.

**What my instructor told me it was your responsibility to know the material they taught you. They have assigned the books they will be teaching from. You can use any book you want, but it's your discretion. If something is in the test and you didn't know because you didn't have the book, it's on you.**

[justinpark09, MSN, RN]

used ones or old version ones don't usually come with DVD or CD. I will start nursing school this Fall. So, did you guys use CD or DVD a lot during nursing school?

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

used ones or old version ones don't usually come with DVD or CD. I will start nursing school this Fall. So, did you guys use CD or DVD a lot during nursing school?

It kind of depends some are useless and some I used a ton! Do you know anyone ahead in the program you could find out from them :)