New Nursing Student Books- Help?!

alynno · Jul 31, 2012

Buy the cheaper version.. I am currently finishing my accelerated BSN program this December and if theres anything i could teach new students, its to buy used cheaper books. Dont EVER let them tell you that you need the new version or the books directly from their store. As long as the edition, title, and author are the same...you are fine. You can always email your professor ahead of time with a picture to confirm it and some companies have a return policy for a few weeks. BUT i highly doubt you got the wrong one. DONT WASTE THE MONEY.

Hi everyone. I don't post much on here so I thought I'd start. I have recently been accepted into a BSN program for the fall of 2012 (wooho ) So, my problem is, I'm poor. And I'm taking a class called "Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing Class" In which I need a book that was published this YEAR. So my college bookstore is charging $270 for it. Thing is, the SAME book with the SAME edition is out there for much cheaper, the only difference is the ISBN Number. (It was published 2011, I'm pretty sure.) Do you think this matters? It literally has the same cover, it's the same edition, and it's the same title it's just the ISBN that they've changed. So I'm wondering If i can get away with buying the cheaper book? Here's the book, in case it helps: Expensive version : http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/KOZIER-ERBS-FUNDMTL-NURSGCLINNU-MNL-PKG/9780133136111.page Cheaper Version: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/Kozier-Erbs-Fundamentals-of-Nursing-9E/9780138024611.page Notice how they're the same book, and the cheaper one even has a copyright for 2012. But the expensive one was published in 2012 and the isbn # is different. I realize that the expensive one also contains the mynursinglab, but i could still get that and the cheaper book for under $270. So, what do you think? Thanks to anyone who helps! :)

sunflowerlamb · Jul 31, 2012

I would e-mail this to the instructor of the course. He/she will know if it is an acceptable substitution.

Chad Collins · Jul 31, 2012

buy the cheaper book i got the cheaper one last year when i started and it's the same as the one they republished this year with little to no changes maybe the pages are numbered different talk about a rip off

Jennifergracex · Jul 31, 2012

Oh,alright.Thanks! Like I said I'm just starting Nursing school so I wasn't really sure. For prenursing I even bought international versions and it suited me just fine. I think I'll email her but just go ahead and buy the cheaper one. 270 feels like a waste of money to me! :uhoh3:

kristin6727 · Jul 31, 2012

I need about 10 books for my first semester starting in September. I bought all older versions except for the drug book and RNotes. My friend used all older editions and said everything is the same. She said some teachers will even tell you what page you should be on if you have an older eddition.

FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · Jul 31, 2012

Buy the cheaper book, we had half the class using older editions for the sake of finances, the only issue was the content was on different pages, no biggie, just look for the info you need. Save every dime you can and try and buy from alternative websites if possible.

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FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · Jul 31, 2012

except for the drug book

Good point, don't buy older drug books, this info changes too often, you need the most up to date drug book you can get.

Jennifergracex · Jul 31, 2012

Buy the cheaper book, we had half the class using older editions for the sake of finances, the only issue was the content was on different pages, no biggie, just look for the info you need. Save every dime you can and try and buy from alternative websites if possible.
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I need about 10 books for my first semester starting in September. I bought all older versions except for the drug book and RNotes. My friend used all older editions and said everything is the same. She said some teachers will even tell you what page you should be on if you have an older eddition.

Awesome, thank you so much. I've been stressing over it for a while because I have other classes, a stethoscope, clinical uniform shoes etc to buy and then when I saw that I got pretty worried. I'm glad I wont be the only one who has done that :)

CardiacKittyRN · Jul 31, 2012

I'd go with the cheaper version! I always buy from amazon & almost always get the older edition. For med-surg the book was $165 new.. i got the previous edition on amazon for $13. Seriously. And it was almost identical to the new book. I've always done this, trust me it saves so much money & you come out with the same material as everyone else!

Jennifergracex · Jul 31, 2012

thank you! I've decided that I will now! I actually talked to someone who had been admitted to the same program as me (we're in the same class) and she told me to get the expensive one because the other one might have missing info. does anyone think this is likely?

FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · Jul 31, 2012

It's Fundamentals, I would think not. Anything that may be missing I'm sure you will get in lecture. To be perfectly honest I don't use any of my nursing textbooks, I gave up on them and started buying Reviews and Rationales by Ann Hogan for every class, it's condensed info that is easier to read and learn from. I know it's hard to understand now but you will see that Fundamentals isn't rocket science, just pay attention and ask questions if you don't understand something. Good luck