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Discussion

Required/Optional Texts

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.

Featured Replies

I've definitely used the Fluids and Electrolytes book. I bought it from Barnes and Noble and it's come in handy.

Calculating drug dosages is just math. If you are comfortable with your math skills, don't waste your money on that.

Can I ask when you recivied your packet?? I am also starting at CGCC and am still waiting.

Wendy

  • Author

Wendy - If you are starting at the same time as me our orientation is Monday the 18th of May. You should call the campus immediately if you do not have your info yet. Good luck.

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.

  • Experts

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!

  • Author

Yes..I am starting this summer. See ya in the fall. -Amy

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.

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