Published
Thank you so much for your reply, I am actually starting Fall semester, in Aug. You must be starting with the summer session?? I can't wait for my packet because I really wanted to try and spread out some of the expense for supplies and books over the next couple of months.
Good luck, you must be so excited to start, I know that I am. Maybe I will see you around campus in the fall.
Wendy
Hi there...
I have to somewhat agree with what the other posters have said. But really it is all up to you. When I started block 1, I bought all the optional texts and although I didn't use it much that first semester, it became required for the next semester. Personally, I like having the optional books. It gives me something to read, not just because i want to read it but because it gives me a heads-up on future lectures if my book becomes too much for me:D But its all up to you...
good luck in nursing school.
I completely agree with getting the "Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy". It's one of the best books out there; I use it a lot. I also agree with getting a good medical dictionary. I prefer Taber's, but that's just my preference. I've seen others; Dorland's is very good.
I bought several Dosage and Calculations books because I was sure I'd need them; haven't used them at all. I took a Math for Nurses course at my school and our instructor prepared everything we needed. You'll learn what you'll need to know, and most of it is basic math with a little algebra.
Much good luck and success to you!
I bought the calculate with confidence book and never even opened it. It's simple math and if you need help in math, you can probably just google practice med-math problems.
Also, we weren't required to buy any F&E books but I highly recommend "Mosby's Fluid and Electrolytes Memory Notecards" (isbn: 9780323037259) You can get it even cheaper on half.com... just a suggestion. (They also have a patho and pharm one)
Also, I'm in GCC's program and we were required to get a Nursing Care Plan book, well the one we were required to get sucks, so I ended up buying Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (isbn: 9780323039543) I highly recommend this one!
Good luck in the program!
If you haven't made the investment in a PDA or smart phone yet, now might be a good time. LOVE Epocrates on my iPhone...LOTS of medical apps available...med dictionaries, dosage calculators, abgs, ekgs, etc. This would a good use for some of that cheap student loan money you are (hopefully) getting.
Gilbertgrl
19 Posts
When I received my welcome packet there were 4 optional books listed for block 1. Things like "Calculating Drug Dosages", "Fluid & Electrolytes Made Incredible Easy", "Calculate with Confidence" and even a Dorland's med Dictionary. I have a Dorland's, but are these others something I should seriously consider? Anyone found them necessary or extremely helpful? Also...I went to the CGCC's bookstore website to see about the texts which sent me to a secondary website for medical books. The total was over $600 before shipping and there were no options for used texts. Anyone have advice about other websites they've used? I've "heard" about great deals online, but I don't know of any. Thanks.