Would this be smart?

Are you only applying to one school? Not to say you won't be accepted into the nursing program, but what will you do if you're not accepted into the program and you have a bunch of those books lying around? I would recommend waiting, but that's just my opinion. Set aside some money now, with the intention of solely using it towards your nursing school textbooks, and you'll have it all for when the time comes to purchase them. There's also the possibility that the course textbook will change if any of the classes are taken over by a different instructor or the newest edition will be required for the class.

Applying to two. Mostly just want to focus on the BSN program though.

I am not sure if both schools use the same books for every class, but it would be a shame to purchase books that the school you get into does not utilize. Additionally, by the time school actually starts, they may have moved on to a different edition or different book altogether. I would take cracklingkracken's advice - just start socking the money away.

I wouldn't buy them now, if you have a whole year. First, what if you are not accepted into the program you buy books for? Second, what if they change the book? I would go with the above advice and just put the $$ somewhere and forget about it. I will stash money in a zip lock and then put it in the back of my freezer... strange, I know, but I never spend it LOL

No because schools change their books all of the time and not every school uses the same books. It would be a waste of money.

Good day, carys

Listen to Heathermaizey; you might spend hundreds to thousands for books that may or may not be applicable.

Thank you.

My classes start next semester (Fall '14), and I've already bought my Pharm book and several course review books. But, my classes start this upcoming semester. If you're not going to be taking your classes this next semester, I wouldn't bother buying those books right now.

You sound like me! I wanted to just go out and buy everything so I was ready: My watch, my stethoscope, skills kit, books, school supplies, everything. I'm a planner! Sounds like you are too!

Nothing wrong with that, but you may want to wait to make sure you're not wasting your hard earned money on a book that will be outdated by the time your classes start. :)

Good luck!

I relate to your excitement and desire to get started on your nursing school experience. AND others have made a good point about spending money on books that you may not use because they aren't required, needed or up-to-date. I will be working and squeezing every penny to get through school.

I bought a few books suggested as NCLEX study guides by respected AN posters. Since I'm starting school this fall and know the texts I'll need, I bought most of those used (in good condition) from Amazon. I rented one text so I could read it ahead over the summer. A HUGE savings to buy used and renting is even more savings. Kinda wishing now that I'd waited and rented mall of my texts the semester started. I don't think I'd want to keep any of the required texts as references and if I did, I could always buy them from my classmates who where selling at the end of the quarter/year.

The books I bought early because ANers suggested them and I knew they'd be useful supplemental material regardless of where I went to school are:

Test Success: Test Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students, 6th ed., Nugent & Vitale.

Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination, 2nd ed., LaCharity, Kumagai & Bartz

NCLEX RN: Strategies, Practice and Review 2013-14 ed., Irwin & Burkhardt

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Drug Guide: 300 medications You Need to Know for the Exam, 5th ed.

I am in the lower first percentile for route memorization so I figured I'd need to get an early start on drug names; the Kaplan book is great for that and just the right size to haul around and pull out when I'm stuck in a line. (Ask me about NSAIDS!) I finished the test-taking book so I can also highly recommend it personally. I know it will help me with nursing tests; great content. I'm finding the other texts useful for pre-learning material and getting comfortable with NCLEX formats.

But as I say, I'm not even a student yet so evaluate my recommendations with that in mind.

Thank you for your replies :)