Is it worth the money?

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I am finished with my Adult Health (Med-Surg II) rotation but I still have mental heath, critical care, peds and ob left, my question is do you think it is still worth buying a pathophysiology reference book? I really could have used it the past semester but I never had the money. Now that I have the money I am wondering if it will even be beneficial enough to spend the money on it anymore? I know there are several other books that are well worth my money too, any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I am finished with my Adult Health (Med-Surg II) rotation but I still have mental heath, critical care, peds and ob left, my question is do you think it is still worth buying a pathophysiology reference book? I really could have used it the past semester but I never had the money. Now that I have the money I am wondering if it will even be beneficial enough to spend the money on it anymore? I know there are several other books that are well worth my money too, any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

If you think you will need it, they I would invest in one. Understanding path can help you understand other questions thrown on the test. I learned that understanding the path and why drug's work can help answer or narrow down your answer, a lot. Also another question to think about, is will you really get it out and use it. I have brought several books that soudned good, however, I have never used them. I only use my med surg book, the internet, and nclex review books. If you do invest in it, you can always sell it on ebay or back to the book store. Buying a book is never bad because you can always get your money back.

Good luck finishing you the rest of your school. Keep focused, YOU CAN DO IT!:nurse:

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I tend to do bare bones when it comes to textbooks especially if it is something I can google and find at a reputable site. Whenever I've wanted to augment my books I buy used older editions which in most cases are almost identical to the current ones and very cheap. The one area I don't skimp on is the study guides if they have test bank style questions because there are always a handful on the exam that I have already seen in the study guide.

I took and advanced patho class last semester in conjunction with my third semester ADN program and I kid you not, this is why I've done very well in my 4th semester. I think having a pathophysiology book to reference is a really good idea. It's helped to clarify quite a few disease processes that were not quite making it into my brain with just the med/surg textbook from NS.

Personally, I think it's a wise investment, if like the other poster stated, you will break it out and use it.

Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

I would buy one, I think it is a very good idea, and one I should look into myself. I only have about six clinicals left before graduation, but I can promise you knowledge of patho or lack thereof can make/break you on care plans.

I'll chime in and say I agree - invest in one, especially since it sounds like you'll really benefit from it. I also agree with the poster who mentioned getting a previous edition - as long as it's not too old (usually the edition schools just stopped using will be dramatically cheaper on places like Amazon.com, textbooks.com, and Barnes and Noble's website). One or two editions back should be far enough to save you considerable amounts of money. You might even be able to find one at a used bookstore in your area that's the old edition.

Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

I find myself going back to look things up all the time and certainly think something like this is an investment, not something you purchase for one semester and then get rid of. If you have the money and it's not taking away from anything else then I say get it - I really think you will use it more than you think.

I second the idea of buying a slightly older edition used if you think you need one. I check mine for careplan info (we have to do a "pathophysiology" section), but I also look at reputable websites and I'm sure I could rely on those exclusively. Otherwise, I haven't cracked my patho book since last summer when I took the class. If you happen to have extra cash, buy the $2 used patho book online and spend the rest on NCLEX books. Lots and lots of NCLEX books. I can never have too many of those!

Your program sounds like it is set up the way mine is! Those are our last four classes. You don't happen to be at Tri-county tech do ya? If so, I haven't had that book and I've done just fine. The patho books prob wouldve helped in Medsurg tho.

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