[The Bell Jar]

Originally Posted by EJM

I have a dumb question as I am not in school yet. I do own a cheapy stethescope (omron) but don't know what the purpose of the bell is. Would someone be able to explain it? Thanks.

The bell is for hearing low pitched tones and the diaphragm is for hearing high sounds.

[michelleicu]

Does the nursing program provide all that stuff,like scrubs and stethoscope.I know we have to provide our own shoes.just curious.

[caliotter3]

Ever since I bought my Littman back in nursing school, I won't go with any other brand. The only problem I see is when other people steal your scope. Littmans get to be expensive when you're replacing stolen scopes.

[Aprilhere]

Originally Posted by Scrubz

Agreed.. Mater Cardiology if you want to dish out the bucks for it. Far better than any base model stethoscope though. Worth the money. Consider it an investment.

And if you really want to dish out the doe, get one of the new electronic ones. I hear they're really awesome.

I had the new littman ambient noise reduction steth. I sold it on e-bay. I couldn't get used to it. I didn't feel it reduced noise at all. It was SO sensitive I heard everything BUT what I was trying to hear. I hear better out of my littman classic II than I did the electric one. Now I'm just waiting until after christmas to invest in the master cardiology littmann. (I finish orientation to the CCU Dec 26- so good timing)

[SAHStudent]

Originally Posted by michelleicu

Does the nursing program provide all that stuff,like scrubs and stethoscope.I know we have to provide our own shoes.just curious.

I don't know any school that provides stuff like that.

[akspudus]

I used a sprague for quite a while as an EMT. When I was accepted to nursing school I treated myself to a Littmann Cardiology III. I Love it. I can't believe how much better I can hear. Not only is the chest piece very high quality, the cardiology III has a double lumen tube. The ear pieces are very comfortable and ALWAYS give you a nice seal.

I see people in class struggling with CHEAPY stethoscopes. I know of at least two people that FAILED the BP skills assessment because they didn't have a quality stethoscope. Don't sell yourself short. Make the investment into a quality piece of equipment. A quality stethoscope is something you will use for years.

akspudus

[JBRN2B]

Michelle, At our school you have to buy your own scrubs, and stethoscope. The school recommended the Littman Classice II SE, but I got a Cardiology III as a gift and I use it more than the Classic II, when I am finally a nurse, I think I will invest in a Master Cardiology. I would get my name engraved on it, but be aware that some places only "engrave" by spraying on some gold lettering. That will eventually wear off.
As for scrubs, the school just asked that they are white. We then have to sew on patches and put on name tags. (By the way, the patches and name tags we had to buy as well.) Eventually we will have to purchase a nurse's kit this year. The first quarter our books were around $1000.00 going forward books will be about 300-500 a quarter.
We also had to pay membership to the Nursing Students Association. Nursing School has been quite expensive.