Schools over - stuck with 18 books

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

I passed my boards (yahoooooo!) sort of have a job lined up

I do plan on going back for my bachelors, starting in fall of 2011

Cant decide which ones I should hold on to.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[Asystole RN]

Keep ALL of them including your notes. I refer to my notes and books ALL THE TIME.

Expensive buggers to have to buy again in the future.

[RNMeg]

I agree with Asystole. I've kept all my books, as well as all my notebooks, care plans, etc. You never know when you might need them again, especially if you're planning on going back to school within the next few years.

[Ginger80]

I am keeping my pharm books, my med/surg books....

[caliotter3]

These form the basis of your professional library that you have already paid for. I have looked up things in my books years later. If you do decide to sell any of them, do so quickly before the new edition comes out.

[CNL2B]

I am nearly 11 years out from initial licensure. I have found most of my stuff to be on it's way to obsolete now. Some of the stuff in my textbooks has been replaced by newer, evidence based guidelines. I tossed about 50% of my books after I was 5 years out of licensure because I didn't practice in that area and it was just sitting there collecting dust. All my OB, peds, psych stuff went. All my theory went (I knew I'd never use that stuff, but I can see one making a case to keep that stuff as it is likely somewhat more enduring information.) My drug guide from the late 90s is obsolete. My APA manual has now been updated. The rest of my stuff is just plain old now. I think good A&P texts might be worth keeping for reference, but the practical stuff, not so much.

If you are going to use any of it in the near future when it will still be current info, I'd hang onto it -- otherwise I have found stuff changes to fast to be worthwhile to refer to my old texts.

[LaxNP, DNP]

You can sell them back to websites just like you would sell them at school. I sell the books after the school year that I am given by the school and book reps due to the fact that I get new ones every semester that my students use. My wife gets so mad as they start to pile up. I also give them away as I get newer versions. But, if you are going to go back for your BSN, I would save them. If they are recent, then you can use them for references.

[Jules A, MSN]

I have sold everything that I can get enough to make it worth the trip to the post office and have never wished I had one that I sold. Amazon.com has been very good to me. :)

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

The only one of my books I ever look at is my critical care book because I work in critical care. You'll be better off selling the books from the area you aren't going into. Trust me, you will probably never look at them again. They'll set around and collect dust and become worthless heaps of paper. Nursing books are like cars... they depreciate with age and use... and I say if you're not using them, sell them while you can. Most floors and hospitals will have a copy of the most current nursing literature available for reference.

I usually sell mine on http://www.half.com or Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs more

[RossayRN]

I kept my medsurg book and sold the rest

[kristandrews]

I know someone who is selling their books now (while they're still the newest edition) and planning on buying them online after a newer edition comes out. That way they can make a decent amount of money now and buy the books for reference for really cheap later on. They aren't a nursing student, but I really wish I would've thought of this years ago!

[DaynaDawn]

I passed my boards (yahoooooo!) sort of have a job lined up

I do plan on going back for my bachelors, starting in fall of 2011

Cant decide which ones I should hold on to.

Any advice would be much appreciated

Super!!!! Congratulations to you on passing the boards!!!! May your life's road continue to shine bright!!