Some financial and Newbie advice?

[Pat2009]

Hi! My name is Patti and I have just been accepted into the nursing program at my school and I start this Fall, full time!

I am very excited about this, but I am also a bit concerned about costs. One of my main concerns, is how many books we need/use and how much they cost.

I am wondering what advice you may have to offer, about how you went about purchasing your books, if you know of any good online sites that may have good deals, etc. I will be getting financial aid, and a scholarship, however, money is still very tight for me because of health insurance costs, car insurance, and diabetic supplies.

As a person just starting out, if you having any helpful tips about the first year of nursing school, I'd really appreciate.

Right now, I am very excited and yet terrified of starting nursing school. I have worked very hard to get where I am, and I'm sure it will be tough and exciting!

Thanks for your help!

[maire]

Welcome to the site. You can get good deals on books by looking on the various book websites like amazon, half.com, etc. You can also rent textbooks. Another possibility is to look for flyers around the school from students who are selling their books. Good luck as you start out.

[CTK3989]

I agree with Maire! Sorry, no other advice for you. Good luck!

[zachosz]

Hi Patti and congratulations!!! I'm in the same situation as you, as I just got accepted into the nursing program myself. Saving money is a priority to me as well, as there is not much to go around these days

A couple of things to do is look online for the cheapest books you can find, I like amazon.com and even ebay.com. There are many other sites as well, but the two above are consistently cheaper most of the time. I would suggest against renting books, if you buy your books you can always sell them at the end of the semester and use that money for next semester's books.

As far as other ways to save money, I try to limit my spending on the little things. For example, instead of Starbucks, brew your own coffee. Do not use your A/C in the car all the time, rolling down the window instead can save you a lot of gas money (you will be doing a lot of driving as a nursing student). At the grocery store buy only what's on sale and necessary, and use coupons. Instead of going out with your loved one, have a candle-lit dinner at home. Have a garage sale.

It's those little things in our everyday lives that really add up because we're doing them every day. Being a little creative can save us a ton of money, but we still get to enjoy the same quality of life as before.

I feel the same as you, excited and a little scared, yet confident Good luck to us

[Frankreich]

Hi Patti and congratulations!!! I'm in the same situation as you, as I just got accepted into the nursing program myself. Saving money is a priority to me as well, as there is not much to go around these days

A couple of things to do is look online for the cheapest books you can find, I like amazon.com and even ebay.com. There are many other sites as well, but the two above are consistently cheaper most of the time. I would suggest against renting books, if you buy your books you can always sell them at the end of the semester and use that money for next semester's books.

As far as other ways to save money, I try to limit my spending on the little things. For example, instead of Starbucks, brew your own coffee. Do not use your A/C in the car all the time, rolling down the window instead can save you a lot of gas money (you will be doing a lot of driving as a nursing student). At the grocery store buy only what's on sale and necessary, and use coupons. Instead of going out with your loved one, have a candle-lit dinner at home. Have a garage sale.

It's those little things in our everyday lives that really add up because we're doing them every day. Being a little creative can save us a ton of money, but we still get to enjoy the same quality of life as before.

I feel the same as you, excited and a little scared, yet confident Good luck to us

When I was a student a few of the nurses borrowed the books from the libray at the College. That would not work for me but some how they managed.

Always buy your books used if you can. Unfortunately, I found not all books are used the next year so you get stuck with them.