Should I buy or rent my nursing books?

[Chikki_Noodle]

Hello! I was just accepted into the nursing program at SWIC (Belleville, IL). I have been looking over my book list. I am wondering if there are some that I can rent instead of buy. The following is a list for the Summer and Fall semesters. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Clinical Calculations for Nurses

Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 8th Ed.

978-0323358286

Calculate With Confidence 6th Ed.

978-0323089319

Introduction to Nursing Procedures

Nursing 2017 Drug Handbook-with Access 37th Ed.

978-1496322555

Introduction to Nursing

Mosby's Guide to Nursing Diagnosis 4th Ed.

978-0323089203

Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests 5th Ed.

978-0323089494

Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions 10th Ed.

978-0323222051

Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Reasoning in Patient Care 6th Ed.

978-0133139433

Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Reasoning in Patient Care, Vol. 1 6th Ed.

978-0133997460

Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Reasoning in Patient Care, Vol. 2 6th Ed.

978-0133997477

Clinical Handbook for Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Reasoning in Patient Care 6th Ed.

978-0134225401

Concept Mapping: A Critical-Thinking Approach to Care Planning 4th Ed.

978-0803638488

Fundamentals of Nursing Student Bundle

978-0323090940

Health Continuum I

Hesi Case Studies: Complete RN Collection 2012 Year-Access

978-1455727070

(This is only available as a Two Year-Access on Amazon)

Essentials of Pediatric Nursing-with Access 3rd Ed.

978-1451192384

I assume the "with access" books that I am not only going to need to buy them, but buy them new to receive the access code.

[RegularNurse]

Honestly you can probably use YouTube and Wikipedia with similar results.

[wholesome-living]

I will normally buy my books as an ebook option to lighten the load to class and clinicals. I've also learned from my own personal experience through my program that some of those books are "suggested". Most "clinical companion" books are bare bones necessities they know you'll need in the hospital on the floor. If your school allows the use of PDAs and you buy/rent your books as ebooks you really don't need them since you have the entire original book searchable in seconds at your fingertips without the extra bulk. However this all depends on your program. I would try and talk to students maybe a semester further than you to get the best idea for your specific program.

[Chikki_Noodle]

Thank you! I will look into that! I listed the school hoping to maybe catch someone earlier in the program.

[AceOfHearts<3]

Some books you might use for more than one class- my med surg textbook was used for 3 and my pharm textbook for 2. In instances like those I found it was cheaper to buy a used older edition off of places like Amazon. If you do rent make sure you are comparing prices from all the rental services as they can vary in price and rental time.

I sold almost all of the books and study aids I bought in one great big bundle to an incoming student when I graduated and doing that actually covered the cost of the NCLEX for me. I looked up prices for the used books online and then lowered my overall price a little if somebody bought everything for the convenience factor.

[Chikki_Noodle]

AceofHearts- Great idea! I'm in a book exchange on FB for my school. I will ask them.

[caliotter3]

We used most of our texts throughout the six semester program, so I would compare the cost of renting for X semesters versus just buying the books. The etext version is probably the best option.

[GrumpyOldBastard, MSN, RN]

The nursing program that I teach in works hard to use use the same books in several classes, to diminish student book cost. For example, the main textbook used in the course I teach is the same book used in a course earlier in the curriculum (2000 pages). I would recommend that you consult with folks from your school who can tell you specifically which books are used repeatedly. I would assume that general books will be used in multiple classes such as, those related to drugs, medical laboratory studies, medical terminology, etc.

[Chikki_Noodle]

Great advice. Thanks everyone!

[A1b2]

I have been using the older cheaper editions for my school. I did find that some of the information that changes are recommendations but so far I've only missed one question because of having an older edition. Worth the savings to me!

[Boston RN]

CONGRATS on being accepted, you must be very excited! If you are disciplined enough to return the books rent or buy them used (cheap) from Amazon. In the beginning, I hung on to a books thinking I may reference back some day, but never did. information is so easily accessible now via internet, there really isn't a need to keep them.

[LotusPetals82, ADN, CNA, RN]

I don't go to your school, but I agree with the other poster that some books are used for more than one class. I rented the books that I knew I'd only use once, bought used for most others, but also bought new for many books simply because of the online access codes. The access codes are not required for my classes, but I have found them tremendously helpful with my studying. Buy your drug book, medical dictionary, and nursing diagnosis books, for sure (you will certainly use them continuously).