Where to get textbooks? Which should be kept?

Published

So I made the mistake my first semester of pre-reqs and rented/purchased all my books from my college bookstore. I had no idea they were charging the retail value and higher for textbooks. My spring semester is starting at the end of this January. I have heard people say go to amazon, barnes&noble, get an eReader. Also I've heard I should keep my science books because I might need them once I'm in a program.

What suggestions do you have when trying to get your textbooks? Where do you get them for the best possible price? What textbooks, if any should be kept while in Nursing school?

Thanks for any feedback. ^_^

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I buy mine from the bookstore simply because I do not have time to shop around. I hear amazon is good. I rent mine. I did keep my A&P book though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I get mine from Amazon. They are way cheaper than going through the bookstore. You may want to check eBay too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you Google the ISBN number, it'll pop up a list of different sites that you can check through to see who has the cheapest price. I mostly ended up using Amazon or Half.com, but sometimes got them from other sites.

Always bought mine just in case I wanted to keep them. Was able to sell most back after I got out of school, nowhere near what I paid for them though. I ended up keeping quite a few, such as my drug book, lab book, med-surg book and Clinical skills book. I've referred to those a few times since graduating.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I either purchased used from Amazon or rented through campusbookrentals.com. The only book I still have from my prereqs is my physiology text - I still refer to it regularly now that I'm in a nursing program, it's a great general resource.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Amazon.com -- used if able.. often times (check with the professor first) you can go one to several versions behind to save money. Amazon.com also does rentals; I'm trying my first rental this coming semester.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i saw no point in buying most of my books except for my anatomy and physiology books. Chegg or collegebook renter usualy have most of the books and its fast and easy to ship back. i didnt want to buy books i barely ever used sich as for english chemistry etc

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I usually get mine used through amazon.com. You can always sell the ones you don't want to keep later.. I've sold thru craigslist and had no problem re-selling my school books.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the feedback. It looks like amazon is the way to go. As far as keeping books I guess A&P and patho books are good to keep for the Nursing program.

Thanks everyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would say rent your prereq texts or buy used from Amazon. It is not necessary to keep any of your book from your prereqs. I am about to start my final semester of a BSN program. I graduate in May 2014. For reference, I have made an A in almost every single nursing course (11 out of 12). I recommend keeping your textbooks once you start actual nursing courses, but honestly there is no need to keep your prereq textbooks... You don't need them! I do, however, recommend keeping your actual nursing textbooks... You will reference those again over the semesters as you are expected to build upon knowledge learned each semester. Also, when it comes time to study for the NCLEX, HESI, etc you will be glad you have your Patho, MedSurg, Pharm, and Lab Reference texts! Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I purchase my books through eBay or Amazon, it just depends where I find them the cheapest. As far as keeping books are concerned, I kept my Anatomy book which is going to be a lifesaver because I'm taking Med-Surg and Patho this semester and we've already been told to go back and review specific systems and receptors, etc. before the semester begins. Med-Surg is only 7 weeks and what we need to know in those 7 weeks probably won't have been covered yet in Patho, so Anatomy review it is!

As far as my nursing books are concerned, I've only kept my Assessment and Fundamentals books from last semester, as well as my diagnosis book which is required regardless.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Amazon.com, and use the student account. it's free 2 day shipping for six months.. just cancel before it charges your account.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion