I will be starting nursing school in August and I just received my book list. I need to purchase 10 books for only 4 classes that will cost me $500+ and it says all of the books are "required latest editions" in big bold letters.
I searched online and only 2 of these books can be rented, the rest must all be purchase new because some come with access codes and spiral book binding.
Mind you this is not a for profit program but I still find the pricing a tad bit extreme.
So to all new or former nursing students: did you purchase the required books, and did you actually ever used them often for class?
That really doesn't seem too out of line. I spent a little over $2000 at the beginning of this year for the textbooks and online access for our full two-year program. Next year, there will be an option for about $2,000 again, but that only includes the ebook version. If you want print copies, it's pushing three grand. Granted, these books cover the full two-year program.
I don't think that is out of line... My required texts and technology came to around $1500 for the first semester and that was just for E-books, but we only needed one additional book for second semester and then we'll need a couple more next year. I spent a little more than that purchasing used hard copies of the books in addition to the e-books since that is how I prefer to study. I would definitely get in touch with a professor or a student who is further along in the program (Student Nurse Organization if you have one) and ask for tips on how to save on textbooks. That will probably help you prioritize what you really need to have right away and/or what can be purchased used. Good luck!
At least your program doesn't require you to buy a laptop and books ������
I don't know why those stupid question marks are there. I meant to say a laptop from them (to the tune of $1500) and text books. My wallet will be weeping come January (assuming I get in, of course).
I spent about $1500 on books at the start of my program (this covered books for both years) and yes, they all had to be bought new due to my desire to have access to the practice questions and other features the electronic codes unlock for you. I highly recommend buying new and buying all the books on the list. Nursing is not a degree that you can Wikipedia your way through. I use my text books ALL the time - for in-depth study on concepts I don't grasp in class, to write concept maps on pathophysiology/etiology/progression/treatment of various diseases, and for the practice questions as well.
See if there aren't recent grads or those in later semesters that are selling their books (the ones that don't require access codes). If a lot of these books are things like drug guides and lab guides and like a Taber's dictionary, oh and a nursing diagnosis guide - many of these references are available as an App (especially the drug guides) and are much more useful that way at clinical. The only one of these "guides" I ever used in book form was the nursing diagnosis book, and it will save your butt when you write care plans because you can look up diagnosis by illness, quickly. That said, all of that information is also available online (google a specific nursing diagnosis and you'll probably get the Davis's breakdown from the online reference) so it just depends on why the book is being required. I was fortunate and other than a few things that had software packages I was able to rent most of my books through Amazon Prime Student. However, again, a lot of my class sells their previous semester books to the next cohort. See if maybe there is a Facebook group for that for your school, that's how we do it.
Always look to see if the previous class can sell their books to the incoming class and see if two or more students can "share" an access. You might be able to find some ingenious ways to save on costs (like carpooling to clinical sites).
I didn't bother buying a book if I wasn't going to use it for atleast a year, thank goodness. You can as well look into the international edition, the are way cheaper and is same context inside and out. That was the route I followed if I had to buy a textbook. Goodluck
I used all the books they required when writing care plans during nursing school. Borrowing would have been a really difficult. I purchased all my books first semester (~$800), then rented the rest of of the time through Amazon. I sold all my first semester books. Mainly I didn't want books around that I would have to move each time I changed houses, which ended up being once during nursing school and then a major move back to my home state after nursing school.
The only book I truly wish I still had as a practicing nurse is my Jarvis Physical Examination & Health Assessment book.
At least your program doesn't require you to buy a laptop and books ������
Haha, actually they do require a specific laptop which, fortunately, I already purchased months ago for $250 after receiving %50 off for it since it is sponsored with my program.
I don't know why those stupid question marks are there. I meant to say a laptop from them (to the tune of $1500) and text books. My wallet will be weeping come January (assuming I get in, of course).
Hairysemi
4 Posts
That really doesn't seem too out of line. I spent a little over $2000 at the beginning of this year for the textbooks and online access for our full two-year program. Next year, there will be an option for about $2,000 again, but that only includes the ebook version. If you want print copies, it's pushing three grand. Granted, these books cover the full two-year program.