Purchasing the latest of editions of textbooks required for Exelsior

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Is it really necessary to purchase all the latest editions of the textbooks required like the Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pharmacology, and Peds or can I just purchase the edition before that. Would there be any significant changes between just one edition? I can save over a $100

I used this as my main study guide that helped me pass the NCLEX.

I have to tell you that I think that Saunders NCLEX Study guide with the CD is the best. I reveiwed almost all NCLEX study guides that were available and Saunders by far was the best, Why?

- The CD contains over 3000 Questions and you can go by section, take a test or quiz with every subject or individual subject

- The CD give you a reveiw of every question and you can bookmark questions for further review.

- The book is complete. If anything it has too much information, however, subjects and easy, short and concise statments on everything.

- If you don't like the book, use the cd, it has all the questions in the book. However, reading the book will give you many more questions and tips. Along with alot of pictures.

The only other book I found useful out of 20 or so was Lippencotts.

I hope that others read this and use this information to help them pass the NCLEX.

One more thing, if you studying to take the LVN/LPN use RN study books instead and don't limit yourself.

Just to make sure you used this as your main study guide for all of your Nursing Concepts exams as well?

Just to make sure you used this as your main study guide for all of your Nursing Concepts exams as well?

I went to a real college to get my LVN now I am working on my RN through distnace learning. At the end of my LVN schooling I had to take the HESI test and score 950 or higher to take the final. I took the final and passed. During school I started doing questions on the computer. Before I was ready (in my mind) to take the NCLEX I had done 19000 questions from various sources.

What I wanted to say is that Saunders by far helped me the most in preperation to take the NCLEX. I am not suggesting that you stop using any of your current study material, but that you made an excellent choice for a study book.

What my suggestion is, is to start doing questions now, even if you have no clue on the subject or what the answers are. Try doing a 100 questions a day or so, until you know the anwsers. Keep reading books, go back and do more questions, read more books, do more questions. When you think your ready, goto the HESI website and purcahse there testing module and see if you ready. HESI says there test is 98% or so accurate that you will pass. I must say there is some disucssions on the accuracy of the test on these newsgroups.

One more thing, the people who administer the NCLEX have changed the standards and as of July of this year or so will make the NCLEX more difficult to pass, so keep that in mind.

Hope this helps

Specializes in Med/surg, ER.

I don't think that buying the newest additions is necessary. I am doing ok with the last edition. There are some of the books that I bought the up to date edition, because I thought it was important like me pharm. book. I did buy used through Amazon, which saved me quite a bit of money. Good luck! J

Specializes in LTC,HOSPITAL,HOME CARE,TRAVELING.

First off I am one for saving money too.Try half.com for books.I wish I could let myself use the library but for some reason I like to have my own for reference back if need be sometime in my career although I must admit I haven't looked at my lpn books in probably 20 years.I kept them for reference and have given them to my children to help them in their high school class's.I thought the money you spent on EC included your books and study material.I am so confused about EC and I really was thinking about trying to come up with the money to start .I always get this bug up my butt when a regular college semester is almost over or I would have to wait till fall to start ,lord help me then cuz the bug is usually gone and I am again wrapped up in everyday life and teens by then and decide to forget it .

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Is it really necessary to purchase all the latest editions of the textbooks required like the Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pharmacology, and Peds or can I just purchase the edition before that. Would there be any significant changes between just one edition? I can save over a $100

I purchased all of my books from www.half.com and purchased the edition prior to the one required and saved a "ton" of money. The only information I found invalid in all those books was that the nutritional guide (forget what it used to be called) had changed to the food pyramid. I got the pyradmid off the back of a loaf of bread. I graduated with a 3.90 average.

I paid maybe $5.00-10.00 per book. I like to own my own so I can highlight to my hearts content.

Excelsior, can't blame them, they have all the latest editions available for sale in their bookstore. They're just trying to make a buck!

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