Board hears recommended nursing textbook; first‑choice option costs slightly more but extends lifespan to three years

Dr. Sarah Lockett, director of technical and career education, presented the textbook adoption committee’s recommendation for the Licensed Practical Nursing I and II programs.

The committee selected Human Anatomy and Physiology, 3rd edition (publisher date 2025) as its first choice, citing alignment with national nursing standards, clinical application, instructional support and accreditation rules that require texts to be less than five years old for practical nursing programs. Dr. Lockett said the first‑year implementation cost for classroom sets of the first‑choice text is just under $6,600, with a projected three‑year replacement total of about $6,995. A second‑choice textbook (publisher date 2024) would cost less in the first year (just under $4,000) but has only a two‑year useful life under accreditation rules, with a projected two‑year total of roughly $4,239; on a per‑year basis the committee said the difference was small once lifespan is considered.

Board members asked about the administrative and staff time needed for the adoption process and about teacher resources included with each textbook. Dr. Lockett and committee staff said the adoption process involves committee review time and some staff administrative work; the recommended first choice includes more robust teacher resources. Chair Brown noted the 100% NCLEX pass‑rate history for the practical nursing program and said the recommendation will be placed on the consent agenda at the next meeting for approval.

The board did not vote on adoption at this meeting; the item was scheduled for consent consideration at the next regular meeting.