Published Nov 19, 2012
LT01343
2 Posts
I am starting nursing school in the spring and I'm attempting to minimize costs anywhere I can. I've already figured out from previous semesters of buying ridculously expensive micro and chemistry books that renting is definately the way to go, but only if I'm not going to need the book again. I'm posting my booklist below, if anyone with previous experience could look at this and help me figure out which ones I should rent instead of buying, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks!
Fundamentals of Nursing by Potter
Physical Examination and Health Assessment by C. Jarvis
Pocket Companion for Physical Exam and Health Assessment by C. Jarvis
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: Guide to Planning Care by Ackley and Ladwig
Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Reference by Pagana
Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses by Deglin
Diseases and Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual by Sommers
Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurse: American Nurses' Association
Scope and Standards of Practice: Nursing American Nurses' Assoc.
Nurses' Social Policiy Statement: Essence of Profession by ANA
Manual of American Psychological Assoc. by American Psychological Assoc.
Cinical Calculations with Application to General and Specialty Areas by J.L. Kee
Pharmacology and Nursing Process by Lilley
Pathophysiology for the Health Professions by Gould
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!
It has been a long time since I was in school but these you will use over and over again. I am sure current students can give you better input.
NICU:)
48 Posts
Honestly. I have bought the online version of all of my books and do not regret doing so. In my program we use all of the books every semester, so maybe that's something you need to consider. Ask the class ahead of you. Or even your teachers! Not to bash renting books, as that is what I did up until the "nursing school" part of my education. But you'll end up spending more money re renting stuff rather than just keeping it. Hopefully this helps!! :/
charitynaf
35 Posts
I wouldn't buy both the regular Jarvis and the pocket. The pocket is sufficient in my program.
Julesmama28
435 Posts
I have most of those books, honestly I've cracked Fundamentals book like 4 times. I bought the older version and I am so glad I didn't waste 140$ on the new one! The page numbers changed, not the content.
The health assessment book is the same as well, I bought one edition back and saved a ton. Just needed the illustrations really, our teacher is amazingly thorough in lecture/lab.
Drug guide: but the new edition, you'll use it lots!
We never used our pharm books, but that's up to the professor.
Not sure about the others. Good luck in your first semester! It's overwhelming but oh so cool!
kaydensmom01
475 Posts
The bold ones are the ones that I have used through all of my semesters. We never bought the other ones so I can not say if they are needed.
ImKosher
370 Posts
Well here is the issue. If you rent the books, you will have to rent them every semester. I can promise you that your teachers will expect you to have these books available to you all semesters of your program. You pay the initial cost, but they carry with you throughout the program. If you rent the book, it may be the quarter of the price. Nice right? NO.
You will have to pay for your book every semester. You will be paying about as much or more than just buying them outright. Look over your program. Ask your instructors what books are needed for your next semester, then go to amazon or another online retailer. You campus bookstore is a rip-off and only try to make as much money as they can from you. Simply put in my opinion they're crooks.
Save the stress and worry about not having the books needed and just pay for the initial cost for the books. You will not regret it. It's better to have more than less in my opinion.
Thanks everyone. ImKosher, you're right, the bookstore is nothing but a bunch of crooks! Think I may just buy the previous editions, seems fairly safe as long as it wasn't published too long ago..
Guinevere39
64 Posts
Be careful about buying used if you need the online content. The Potter & Perry book comes with an access code for online case studies and modules that we had to do. You can buy access seperately, but depending on the used price, you might be better off just buying that one new. Other books may be the same, with the online access code.
PinkCupcake
145 Posts
I know many people who put ads up online to find their books new. On FB many towns have a group called "buy, sell, and trade" a friend of mine got ALL of her books for the whole program for $500 from a woman who dropped out of the program.
I have another friend who bought a lot of her books online from half priced books. I agree with some of the others about renting books. If you only need it for a semester great then rent, but many of the books are used semester after semester. I have the same lab and diagnostic book that you need and I LOVE it, it's one of the ones I plan on keeping once I'm done with school. It's been a big help for my instructors who drill the labs into us :)