Is studying OLD editions of Nursing books a more hurtful than helpful?

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 13, 2011

90's I would say are too old. I would def look at some online places to get the newer ones for cheaper. What is it that they say that the research that comes out is already 5 years outdated.

Saysfaa · Mar 13, 2011

I would graciously thank grandma but use more recent books. Either buy some from the list for next fall or check out libraries. Some things don't change but too much does change and you won't know which is which. It is not just adding new info - many times the basics are modified or even discontinued.

allnurses Guide · Mar 13, 2011

I still have my old textbooks - I think studying normal anatomy, such as bones, muscles and the normal circulatory system might make memorizing them later on easier. Microbiology advances pretty quickly because of the ability to know what is there via technologies advances quickly.

I would stay away from NCLEX reviews, medicine (pharmacology and drug guides) because yes, things really do change that much!

I love looking at my old books just to compare them or refresh my memory and look at the quaint uniforms :) so when you get your new books do not toss Grandma's books!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Read the older books with a grain of salt. So much can change in 10-20 years' time, especially pharmacology and surgical methods.

Moogie · Mar 13, 2011

Look at the older books for only the very basics about anatomy and as references for nursing history. Texts from the 1990s are too old to be of much use for contemporary practice. Even texts from 2000 are pretty outdated.

Thank your grandma for her generous gift and use these sources if you need to do a project on nursing history or how practice has changed in the last 20 years. But don't use them for studying. Others are right. You might take a while to un-learn some of the materials.

Best of luck to you as you start your program!

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Read the older books with a grain of salt. So much can change in 10-20 years' time, especially pharmacology and surgical methods.

Yes, I have an old fundamantals book my aunt gave me and it actually is missing steps in the nursing process!!! So I just politely put it aside :)

AlleycatLPN · Mar 13, 2011

I wouldn't say hurtful but I would say not as beneficial as more recent! I do have my old textbooks that I refer back to sometimes. Medicine is still always changing.

Skylarslaughter · Mar 14, 2011

Thanks for all your answers! I think I'm just going to use the A&P sources a little, but put aside the other books since my grandma is very well meaning but is absoluetly sure they don't change much (: I really don't want to un-learn a bunch of information! Lol (:

rn/writer, RN · Mar 14, 2011

I remember looking at "Gray's Anatomy," the book--not "Grey's Anatomy," the TV show--while doing pre-reqs. The human body hasn't changed since Gray mapped first mapped it out back in the mid-1800s. Our understanding of physiology may have adapted and deepened, but the basic structures are still the same.

You can learn the various systems and become familiar with the names and locations of organs, bones, nerves, muscles. But even more important, you can get a feel for the Greek and Latin root words that will flavor your nursing education from now on.

Go online or buy an inexpensive book to learn medical terminology. Using this along with the old anatomy text will help you lay a solid foundation for your future learning.

Connecting the visual images with the terminology can lead you to discover all kinds of interesting information. One example--the cauda equina is the lower end of the spinal nervous system that consists of bundles of nerve endings that branch off and extend beyond the end of the spinal cord. "Cauda equina" is Latin for "horse's tail," and that's exactly what that area looks like.

Studying both anatomy and physiology, you'll learn terms like distal and proximal, medial and lateral, superior and inferior; prefixes (cephalo-, myelo-, hemi-, dys-) and suffixes (-emia, -plegia, -ectomy, -otomy); and how the systems interact.

This knowledge can give you a real leg up in nursing school.

I would view looking at these old volumes like reading a guidebook for a foreign country you intend to visit. They won't be able to tell you exactly what you'll see when you get there, but they will help you get a feel for the culture and a head start on learning the language.

What a very special gift from someone who loves you!

Skylarslaughter · Mar 14, 2011

I remember looking at "Gray's Anatomy," the book--not "Grey's Anatomy," the TV show--while doing pre-reqs. The human body hasn't changed since Gray mapped first mapped it out back in the mid-1800s. Our understanding of physiology may have adapted and deepened, but the basic structures are still the same.
You can learn the various systems and become familiar with the names and locations of organs, bones, nerves, muscles. But even more important, you can get a feel for the Greek and Latin root words that will flavor your nursing education from now on.
Go online or buy an inexpensive book to learn medical terminology. Using this along with the old anatomy text will help you lay a solid foundation for your future learning.
Connecting the visual images with the terminology can lead you to discover all kinds of interesting information. One example--the cauda equina is the lower end of the spinal nervous system that consists of bundles of nerve endings that branch off and extend beyond the end of the spinal cord. "Cauda equina" is Latin for "horse's tail," and that's exactly what that area looks like.
Studying both anatomy and physiology, you'll learn terms like distal and proximal, medial and lateral, superior and inferior; prefixes (cephalo-, myelo-, hemi-, dys-) and suffixes (-emia, -plegia, -ectomy, -otomy); and how the systems interact.
This knowledge can give you a real leg up in nursing school.
I would view looking at these old volumes like reading a guidebook for a foreign country you intend to visit. They won't be able to tell you exactly what you'll see when you get there, but they will help you get a feel for the culture and a head start on learning the language.
What a very special gift from someone who loves you!

Thank you so much! That's a great way to look at it (: Thanks so much for the advice:D