Question for people who have gone through clinicals...

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here. I start a LPN program August 26th. I have kind of a weird question, but has anyone who has gone through clinicals had to use their books while at clinicals? I'm just asking, because I have to order books today, but my book credit only covers the bundle that is ebooks only and the regular text books will require me to pay almost $400 out of pocket, which I cannot afford at this moment.The only problem I see with using the ebooks is if I will need to use my books for looking something up at clinicals and can't use my phone at clinicals. So, that's where my question comes in.... I'm really excited and a little nervous about starting the program. Nursing is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but I don't have any prior experience in the health field, so other than the research I've done about nursing, I know nothing, lol. Anyways, thanks in advance for the help!

Specializes in GI, ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Stress Test Nurse.

During my LPN clinicals 13 yrs ago we were required to bring our text books. Today with education system moving to e-books, I would ask these questions of my nursing advisor or wait til the first day of class and ask my instructor before purchasing my books

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I just want to say CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL ON THEIR ELECTRONICS POLICY BEFORE GETTING THE EBOOKS!!!!! I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH ( NOTICE THE CAPS) we are not allowed to have any electronic device including computers, phones, kindles, tablets, and the likes in the classroom OR clinicals. We where not informed of this until this past Monday when we started so a bunch of people are out the money they spent on ebooks since we can't use them in class and need the books in class. Just double check before you buy!

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I know for a fact we're not allowed to use electronic devices during clinicals, but we will be using computers for in the classroom. That is insane that they do not allow computers for at least the classroom for your program and didn't warn any one ahead of time. I haven't bought anything yet. I'm planning on going to the school tomorrow and speaking with financial aid and my nursing advisor. What is even more irritating is that my school does not provide personal student loans, only fafsa and so far everything is costing way more than what they estimated for the program. Even with the full pell grant, I may have to pay quite a bit out of pocket.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

It depends if you have to do care plans while at clinical. we used to take turns bringing a different book: one would bring Pharm reference, one NANDA, onetext, one patho, etc so in case we had to look something up, we had it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OP, you can save by getting the required texts on ebooks, and get your "recommended" books, ie drug guide, NANDA book, suggested guides that transcend and are use during your career. Saves a TON of money! :yes:

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At least have a drug book, lab book and good nursing diagnosis book

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

Used my drug guide and care plan book everyday in clinical.

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I bring my drug guide, and my PDQ LPN book. That's all I need usually, since we don't really get lots of down time for reading the books, so a couple of minutes to look up something really quick. Just never go without your drug guide! :)

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Depends on your school. I'm in a BSN program and I've never seen one of my classmates use a textbook in clinicals. We have a lot of pressure to prep the night before and bring notes with us, of if we don't know something use Micromedex or something that the nurses on the floors would use to look up information. I don't even know where you would put text books in my clinical locations. So, it depends on your school culture.

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You can look for books at half.com or other textbook sites for huge discounts. Ebay and Amazon also offer used, cheap books. Another option if you want a reference type book but don't want to pay for new is go to a local thrift store - Goodwill etc. They always have nursing/medical books - you could bring these so you have something for reference & if you happen to leave it/lose it not a big deal because it was cheap. Also, if you have a laptop/cell phone w/internet access that would also give you the means to look things up & usually each unit has a drug book & other reference materials plus most hospitals have their own computer based reference guide so someone could help you there too. Good luck!

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Plus you may have time to get some studying in.
If you are studying on clinical you are not using your clinical time properly. If you have some down time which is unlikely it is better to use that to go over hospital policy, guidelines or procedures if you haven't got a nurse, physio, OT or other health professional to follow around and ask questions.
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Specializes in L&D; Post-Op Med/Surg.

When my group went through school a couple of us took the ebook route the 1st semester and completely regretted it! It is so difficult to pinpoint find exactly what you're looking for on an ebook vs quickly finding it in a tangible book. I would not suggest it at all. We did use our books in clinical.

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