Implementing an open-source textbook in an undergraduate nursing research course

• Open Textbooks and OERs bring significant cost savings for students. • 95% of students confirmed the importance of cost savings without compromising quality. • Nursing Schools should consider adopting more open textbooks. High textbook costs are a significant barrier for nursing students, yet nursing programs have been slow to adopt Open Educational Resources (OER). This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a zero-cost, open-source textbook in an undergraduate nursing research course at a university in southeast Georgia. A non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted. A survey was administered to students to evaluate implementation using the COUP (Cost, Outcomes, Usage, Perceptions) framework. indicate significant student benefits. Cost savings were a primary benefit, with 95% of students reporting that the $0 cost was important. Students (85%) perceived no negative impact on course quality, and 81% recommended the broader adoption of OERs. Furthermore, 91% of students were satisfied with their grades, and course-level grade distributions remained consistent with those in previous semesters using a commercial textbook. This study demonstrates that OER can successfully replace commercial textbooks in nursing, reducing financial strain without compromising student outcomes or perceptions of quality.