Should you buy new or used books for your program?

[TurtleLittle]

Hi everyone,

I will enter my general nursing program @ CSU Chico, California this Fall! super excited.

n I would like to ask for some advice about buying books throughout the programs. Since I got into the program, obviously I had had some experiences with buy new or used books for college before. I often got good deals and passed several class with used books only or even without book sometimes. Now for entering the program, I suppose it should be different right? I'm thinking I should buy all new books because I would use them a lot and might save them even after school for career reference. (n boy, I'm talking about a huge expense over here!)

So could anyone share their experiences? Do u buy all new or used books? Or if you buy new books only for major texts (usually those cost the most too!). Maybe some don't even buy the minor texts ? Am I over-thinking it and later on just dump all of my texts after school?!

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

Here is a trick for those who want to keep the books as references -- sell your current books and buy an older ed. You will save a ton of money. People were adamant about keeping A&P books for references, but after paying $300 for those books, I sold them and had intentions to buy older eds but there is really no need. Anything I need are in nursing books, if not there are many resources on the web. I've kept an older ed assessment, fundamentals and nursing dx book which were free from our computer lab. Textbooks are spendy as it is, I want to keep the cost as low as possible.

[jennafezz]

Here is a trick for those who want to keep the books as references -- sell your current books and buy an older ed. You will save a ton of money. People were adamant about keeping A&P books for references, but after paying $300 for those books, I sold them and had intentions to buy older eds but there is really no need. Anything I need are in nursing books, if not there are many resources on the web. I've kept an older ed assessment, fundamentals and nursing dx book which were free from our computer lab. Textbooks are spendy as it is, I want to keep the cost as low as possible.

Agreed.. people don't realize that they can sell their books online for a hundred dollars or so, and then buy the previous edition for a "reference" for a dollar.

[TurtleLittle, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Thank you everyone!

I've checked out the prices and seems like I have very good deals with new books (they are actually no different than the price for used texts, which is really amazing). Thanks god we have Amazon and Textbook! keke

[Rnstudent2011]

My school is changing over alot of its textbooks, so alot of mine will be new since I always buy mine from the book store. I will only buy a used book after looking thru it and making sure nothing is highlighted or written on the inside.

At our school book store there is usually only a 5 to 20 dollar difference between new and used books... 10% discount is what it amounts to unless the book is damaged then its 20% discount. So it may cost a little more but our list of 1st semester books is 24 books long, so either way it will be expensive and we use about 18 of those books for future semesters as well. I would rather have the most important books be writting free.. things like medical spellers, apa format info, and other reference books are things i would buy with some markings inside.

[CrazierThanYou]

Used, all the way. I just got my pharmacology book I ordered from Amazon. It was listed as "used". It was brand new, still in the shrink wrap.

I usually try to get the ones that are listed as "like new", "very good", or "good". Often, I find books listed as "acceptable" but the description describes a book in perfect condition.

[HCollier]

Im probably the minority but i get new books. Mostly I get new books because my school just mails you your books :) They make it easy and a pretty little box shows up on your doorstep that weighs about 38427lb. People CAN buy their own but Id rather not deal with the hassel. i also like not having ANY writing in my books when i get them. I want to be able to write MY notes nad not deal with other people being highlighter happy. Just my opinion though.

[Funsized]

I was able to purchase all my books new on amazon cheaper then the bookstore offered them used and I didn't have to pay tax or shipping.

[canigraduate]

I usually buy mine from Amazon Marketplace or Half.com. I get the ISBNs from my professors and search both sites.

For some of my prereq classes, I bought the previous edition at a serious discount. All the info was the same, just some page numbers were different.

For my NS books, I bought the current edition, all in "good" or "very good" condition. If you read the descriptions, they will usually tell you whether or not the books are marked up. If you can't tell, you can email the seller and ask them.

I bought over $400 worth of books for under $200, received all of the CDs and other included materials, and none of the books were marked up. All it took was a little time and effort.

[TurtleLittle, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Just an update for everyone as my 2 cents here! Only buy new books for major text like Med-sug or Pharm, etc. (if you r that obsessed to new stuffs like me). For the rest, used r good (or maybe not even needed purchasing! I'm serious). Cuz u barely touched them anyways!

[BMNurse85]

Used. I have even bought older editions.

[CrazierThanYou]

Used. I have even bought older editions.

Me too. Older editions and international editions. I'm getting ready to begin my second semester of nursing school and they just changed all our books to the very newest editions. I will be sticking with the older ones. Our Med-Surg book is $200. I don't think so.

[yesitslaura]

We used the CD resources and crap that came with the NEW books. It was REQUIRED, but was not mentioned in our syllabus, so you may want to shoot your prof an email before purchasing.