Should you rent vs buy textbooks while in NP school? That is the question. Textbooks are ridiculously expensive. How much will you actually use the textbook during the course? Once the course is over, will you ever use it again or will it collect dust?
I’m sharing my recommendation for which textbooks I would buy and which I would rent. You’ll see that I recommend renting most textbooks. This helps you save money, but also, you can always buy the book later if you love it. But first, let’s talk about some general tips for saving money on textbooks.
Tips for Keeping Textbook Costs Low
#1 Check your campus library
Your campus library can save you money on textbooks in 3 ways. Firstly, there is often a section for books on reserve, meaning you can use the book while in the library but cannot check it out. Secondly, more than 50% of the textbooks I needed in school, I was able to checkout through my school’s library for 6-8 weeks at a time. Finally, if your school’s library does not have hard copies of the textbooks, they often have electronic versions that you can access by signing into your account. These three methods of accessing textbooks were my best-kept secrets in school as not many other students looked into this option. The best part about this is that it’s totally free for you!
#2 Share with a friend
Buying or renting a textbook and sharing the cost with a friend is a great strategy to save some cash.
#3 Use a kindle or pdf version
Textbooks on kindle are often significantly cheaper than the hardcopy version. Another option if you’re willing to do some sleuthing… With some googling, you may be able to find a free or an affordable pdf copy of a textbook.
Which textbooks should you rent vs buy in NP school?
Textbooks to Rent
Pharmacology
To rent or to buy: RENT
Rationale: This book is typically huge and dense. I never thoroughly read my pharmacology textbook but often skimmed it to supplement lectures. In clinical rotations and now as a working NP, my preference is to use online or app-based drug references such as Epocrates or Micromedex.
Women’s Health
To rent or to buy: RENT
Rationale: While I did read this textbook during the course, I never felt the need to reference it again afterward. There are so many easy-to-access resources out there where you can find the same information if needed in the future.
Adult Management Courses
To rent or to buy: RENT
Rationale: This book, similar to pharmacology, is huge and expensive usually. The best, evidence-based care changes when new research and medications come available. So the thing is, the information in the textbook isn’t going to be the most up to date in a few years. Again, there are always so many resources out there that will provide you the most up to date evidence for diagnosis and management of primary care conditions.
Pediatric Management
To rent or to buy: RENT
Rationale: Similar to adult management, I would recommend renting this book as the content will be updated every few years.
DNP-Specific Course Textbooks
Courses on: research, policy, program evaluation and improvement, leadership, professional identity, health systems, or health economics
To rent or to buy: RENT
Rationale: For most Nurse Practitioners who go into clinical practice, I would not recommend buying these textbooks. It’s very unlikely that you’ll use them again. The exception would be if you’re planning on working outside of the clinical setting in these areas or if you’re especially interested in one of the classes.
Textbooks to Buy
Physical Assessment and Exam Techniques
To rent or to buy: BUY
Rationale: I rented this textbook, but wish I had just purchased it. It’s helpful to reference the anatomy and exam techniques in this book throughout clinical rotations and even once in practice. You will likely reference this book often enough in the future to make it worth buying. The content is unlikely to change in any significant way over the years so it’s a safer bet for the long-term.
Clinical Diagnosis/Diagnostic Health Assessment/Differential Diagnosis
To rent or to buy: BUY
Rationale: I loved this book in school and especially in clinical rotations. It’s very helpful when formulating your differential diagnosis. The textbook I used in school was organized by chief complaint. Under each chief complaint, you could see what questions should be asked when taking a history, what physical exam to complete, what diagnostic tests to order, and possible differential diagnoses based on symptoms and exam findings. I LOVE this book!
So which textbooks should you buy vs rent in NP school?
You’ll be doing well to rent most textbooks. There are really only 2 textbooks that I recommend buying. These two books are ones that you will reference time and time again, and the content isn’t likely to be updated in significant ways in the future. There are plenty of strategies to save money on textbooks; NP school is already expensive enough. Share with a friend, use a kindle or pdf version, and check with your campus library – these are all great and easy ways to save money on textbooks.
I’d love to know – what textbooks do recommend buying vs renting? What are your strategies to save money on textbooks?
Make sure to check out other recent posts and visit the resource page:
- Interview Tips for New Nurse Practitioners
- FNP Certification Exam Study Tips
- Your NHSC Loan Repayment Program Guide
- Lessons Learned as a New Nurse Practitioner
- New Graduate Nurse Practitioner Checklist
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