Rent or Buy?ðŸ‘ŽðŸ‘�

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2017

Well, you could also look into multiple forms. I like bigwords.com because they allow me to look at different prices over a variety of websites.

Keep in mind that some programs require additional online mediums so it is important to find out before you buy used or rent if you will need those.

Some books, such as patho or microbiology, you can buy international editions. International editions were the same except for the fluff pieces such as the "side stories" to make you interested in learning and problems. If homework is assigned from the book, you will not want to use them. However, a lot of teachers I have learned utilize their own homework or from a test bank.

Some publishers will sell "loose leaf" book editions at a cheaper cost. One girl had one in our anatomy class.

TruvyNurse · Jan 1, 2017

The only nursing books I kept after getting my RN was Med/Surg, Pharmacology, NCLEX prep book, and my ATI books.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 1, 2017

I kept my nursing books, hauled them across the country three times with three different moves and never even opened the box. Then the puppy chewed up the box and all of the books -- he got bored while I was working a 12 hour shift. I found the only thing I missed about having the books was one more heavy box to move.

oceanblue52 · Jan 1, 2017

Some assessment books, like the Med-Surgery Lewis books you mention, have a smaller cheaper more condensed companion version you can keep and carry around as a reference.

Party_of_five, BSN · Jan 1, 2017

I bought my books for 1st & 2nd semester because we also used the same ones for 3rd. For 4th semester I'm renting because its Psych and Transitions and I don't feel like I will need them in the future after class is over. I like having my Med-Surg book even though I would probably google for info rather than look it up and will probably sell it after I pass the NCLEX.

saskrn · Jan 2, 2017

I kept some of my school books for a few years without using them, and then finally donated them to some (very happy) nursing students.

When I started working, I purchased a new drug handbook every year. I really liked to have my own, so I could always find one whenever I needed it. I also really liked Porter's guides, and would often have one slipped into a cargo pocket. They're compact and loaded with a lot of good info, in case you happen to forget something in a crunch. I'm not sure if they're still being made, but they were cheap and well worth it. At the time I was working ICU, ER and med/surg.

It's worth noting that every unit/floor/department where I've ever worked has had many reference books if I needed them. It lessens the need to hold onto books of your own, unless they're ones you use frequently and just like to have.

IMHO, the most important thing to remember is to always have newer books so the information is current and not outdated.

Just my 2 cents! :)

anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 2, 2017

I kept my nursing books, hauled them across the country three times with three different moves and never even opened the box. Then the puppy chewed up the box and all of the books -- he got bored while I was working a 12 hour shift. I found the only thing I missed about having the books was one more heavy box to move.

Totally agree. I didnt use any of my nursing school books post graduation.

LovingLife123 · Jan 2, 2017

I kept mine. They have valuable information in them.

CCU BSN RN · Jan 2, 2017

The only reason to buy/keep your books is if you'll need them for other classes later in your career at this school. We took Med/Surg 1, 2, and Critical Care, which used the Med/Surg book, so I bought that because otherwise I would've had to rent it 3 times. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook I had to use to write care plans throughout my 4 years.

After graduation? I kept some things, moved that heavy box many times, and the few times I have tried to use my books for clarity, I've found that I already know the info in the books. It's pretty basic. Once you're practicing for a few years, you'll outgrow them. Your hospital will have access to research articles and journals, and you'll use Google for simple things and search current research for more difficult things. The only benefit I see to the books is having to cite a source for something you'd write later on in your program, but you can always borrow a book from another student for an hour to find the quote you need and the citation.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jan 3, 2017

This is a bit of a sore topic for me. Many years later I'm still ticked off about the maternity text book we were required to purchase for over 400 dollars, yes $400.00 that we never, not even once used. Then adding insult to that injury the textbook was "updated" to a new edition the very next semester and we couldn't even sell back the book. What a money making scheme!

I can't speak for the whole class but I can tell you that a bunch of us were so angry about it that we never bought another textbook again. Our entire final year we relied on the books the previous years class let us have and we all managed just fine. Come to think of it that was about the time I found allnurses as we were all looking for alternate ways to find information and it seemed almost every google search referenced a thread here.

As for the fate of the books I did buy, I hung onto them for several years before finally tossing them out when I cleaned the basement. Can't say as I ever used any of them after school. Heck even in those early days of dial up internet and fledgling search engines it was easier to find information on the internet than it was to look through a bunch of giant textbooks.

MikeyT-c-IV · Jan 6, 2017

Personally, I rent unless the difference between purchasing and renting is marginal. I'll just buy the book if the difference is only 10 or 15 bucks. For instance, this semester I need a book that costs $63 new or $58 to rent. I may as well buy it. This is a little different than some of the massive books you'll need for nursing school, but it's something to consider.

I did save all of my nursing books from my original nursing program and a few other pre-req books. I haven't really looked at them since. Back then we didn't have the option to rent. I did use the anatomy book once to teach my kids a few things. That's it.