Rent or Buy A&P Texts?

goddess9 · Jun 4, 2014

When it comes to Anatomy, I bought an anatomy textbook way before I even needed it and refer to it constantly. They're online for cheap! Textbooks depreciate quickly so you can get a pretty recent one for a great price. Tldr; rent now but then buy a recent one for cheap for future reference.

Leonardsmom,LPN · Jun 4, 2014

If your school has the information available on their website about what book is needed, check and see if you can get it online. I was able to get my book for my anatomy class for $15, which worked out nicely since they will be going to the new addition in the fall which means if I wanted to sell back my book I would not be able to do so. If you do decide to go the rental way during the semester goddess9's suggestion of buying a recent book for cheap is good idea. The anatomy book I have right now is really not all that much different from the one that I had used 7 years ago, they have updated some of the pictures and are now using some additional materials that is available online. Overall though not much had changed over the past two additions.

Also contacting your instructor before the start of the semester can be helpful sometimes also. I saved about $100 for my materials this coming semester by contacting my instructor about what I would be needing for his class.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2014

Good day:

While I've rented books, the AP book (at least at our school) is used for AP1 and AP2 (two separate semesters); then it comes in as a handy reference for some of the other classes. In my opinion, it is one of the buy/keep books.

Thank you.

RunBabyRN · Jun 4, 2014

I've never referenced any of those books, and I just finished nursing school. Things get updated so fast, and much of the info you need is online nowadays.

I buy all of my books, but I resell them when I finish the class.

FutureRNBets · Jun 4, 2014

Find out if its the same book for both A&P 1 and 2. We use the same book for both classes. So I just bought mine even though I usually rent.

LadyLamp · Jun 5, 2014

Compromise and buy the loose-leaf version, which is cheaper than the bound textbook. I have no regrets--I love it. It's great to be able to take notes in your book, carry just the chapters you need and combine them with study guides in your notebook. I agree with the comment above that if you are using the textbook for both A&P 1/2, it is worth buying vs. renting. Plus, this is probably a resource you will want to keep and have on hand. I refer to mine often.

hmowry · Jun 5, 2014

Sounds like I got my answer! Thanks everyone!

tbbtpeach · Jun 5, 2014

This past semester, as I finished my pre-reqs and took my last A/P final, I thought I'd just take my

(bought) textbook back to the bookstore and try to sell it back for some money. But, I forgot and it's just sitting on my desk collecting dust this summer.

But, to be honest with you. A/P is one of those things that you may need a little refresh now and then. So I'm gonna keep my book. I may need to have a source for a paper and I think having a physical text reference is better than an online source. Anyway, it's sort of nostalgic anyway. I loved A/P so...I guess, it would've been sad to turn it in! haha...anyway, that's my two cents. Good luck!