Pearson "Bundle"

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My school (Harrisburg Area Community college) is requiring us to spend $900 on a nursing "bundle." It contains books for all 4 semesters, however, I know it would be much cheaper to buy it used. They are requiring us to buy it from the bookstore, as it contains specific "access codes." I was wondering if anyone knows how I might be able to find out what access codes I need and where to get them to save some money, without missing any valuable information.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You could try to find someone that has used the same books for previous semesters and buy from them. Or split the cost with another nursing student and share. But that won't be helpful if the codes are year/course specific or individual use.

Honestly, $900 for 4 semesters worth of books isn't that bad. Especially if the access codes mean you aren't paying to take the associated exams, which (as with ATI and similar) can run $150+ each.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I bought most of my books from vendors off amazon, but we use Elselvier books instead of Pearson. The online codes didn't offer much besides online practice quizzes and a glossary of terms from chapters.

My biggest problem with used books is when they're marked up with other people's notes and highlighting, it distracts me badly.

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Unfortunately they dock points if you don't have everything on the first day, and often use the websites from the access codes in clinicals. I would love to find it on amazon, but I need to make sure I get the correct access codes.

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If it was just $900 and done for 4 semesters that would be one thing. But its $2000 now for most of the stuff needed, and they didn't really give me time to plan for that kind of money, if it were spread out I might be able to afford it, but I don't really know how I'm going to pay for this, as I've looked into every option; maxed out FASFA, too late for scholarship, no cosigner/credit history for private loan, and I barely make enough money at my job.

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It would be unethical to get access codes from somebody else. Besides, they can track usage. Think they've seen this once or twice before?

I agree, $900 for four semesters is pretty cheap. It's too bad the school makes money off selling you books you could get for less elsewhere, though.

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