Skip to Main Content

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Textbook Equity

How do I even start if I'm thinking about textbook equity/affordability?

What if I want to share course materials I've created or modify/customize something listed here?

Whether you have a homegrown course "packet" or aspire to create an entire textbook, Rod Library can support you in creating, licensing, and sharing materials that you intend to be free of charge. This includes modifying existing materials that are openly-licensed. Details: https://guides.lib.uni.edu/oer/authoring

Open Textbooks in Nursing

Included on this guide are selected Open Educational Resources (OER) in nursing, with an emphasis on peer-reviewed textbooks such as those from Open RN and those reviewed in the Open Textbook Library or by relevant associations. Some free resources may be included that aren't technically OER because they do not have open licenses. Be sure to evaluate each resource for quality and usage rights.

For more, use the Find Open Textbooks tab on the left side of this guide. Rod Library's OneSearch also includes some open textbooks as well as licensed ebooks; note that if you plan to use a library-licensed ebook for a course, you need to notify your liaison librarian well in advance (more on textbooks & library ebooks).

OER Nursing Essentials (O.N.E.) Project

New in 2024: There are 8 peer-reviewed nursing textbooks recently published by OpenStax in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The textbooks are comprehensive, aligned with the outcomes and sequences of their respective courses, and include features and review components designed to enrich and support learning. The materials are published under an open license, which enables faculty to use them flexibly and adjust them to suit institution-specific needs. Open educational resources can be reorganized, modularized, and integrated into learning management systems and other instructional tools. 

O.N.E. Project books cover the following topics:

More information: Press Release, Project Overview, Project Group (join for updates)

Open Textbooks by Topic (Free, online/printable, & licensed for reuse/customizing except when noted)

8 additional titles forthcoming (spring 2024) from OER Nursing Essentials (O.N.E.) Project: See details above.

For freely available virtual reality simulations & scenarios, see Open RN links below.

For more of interest, see resources in the natural sciences (including Biology), psychology, and social work.

Simulations & Media

NCLEX Preparation

Free, customizable NCLEX formative assessments support student preparation for the Next Generation NCLEX, including case study and bowtie questions. Content can be embedded within Blackboard and is integrated with the Open RN free nursing textbooks.

Articles of Note

Connolly, T., & Svoboda, E. (2023). Open Educational Resources in nursing curricula: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(3), 147-154. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20230109-04

Ernstmeyer, K. E., & Christman, E. I. (2023). Adopting Open Educational Resources as an equity strategy. Nursing Education Perspectives, 44(5), 306-307. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001170

Sanderson, C. D., Hollinger-Smith, L. M., & Cox, K. (2021). Developing a social determinants of learning™ framework: A case study. Nursing Education Perspectives, 42(4), 205. https//doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000810
Note: While course materials are not specifically addressed, ensuring access is part of the educational justice that is central to this model.

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) programs

Contact Us | Visit Us | Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Privacy Statement
Copyright © 2017, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. All rights reserved.