[lainith]

I am wrapping up my pre-reqs this summer and I start NS in August. I already have a stethoscope (Sprague 5 In One Stethoscope from Prestige) which I received as a gift from my uncle who works for the college I am attending. I have messed around with it a little bit to see how it works and it seems a little difficult for me to hear things. It just seems like I pick up a lot of outside noises. Am I being silly because I have no idea what I'm supposed to be hearing or would I benefit from a better stethoscope? I really want to give myself every possible advantage to learn things so if a nicer or different stethoscope would help, I want to get one.

I was curious what other students (and nurses) use and what they like and dislike about what they use or maybe kinds they have tried? Thanks for your input!

[eire1]

Congrats on starting NS in August. You are in for the ride of your life. I spent 4 out of 5 semesters of NS with a Littmann Master Classic II. (about $125) It is a great stethoscope, easy to use/hear, but HEAVY! If you get this type, make sure you get it monogrammed. (Everyone loves a Littmann!) Started my 5th semester and preceptorship, tired of having neck pain (seriously!) due to my stethoscope hanging around my neck. I bought the Littmann Lightweight ($40) and it is GREAT! It's very sensitive, lightweight and less expensive, so I'm less worried about it running away. You can get them online, I got mine at allheart.com. Good luck!

[AirforceRN]

Lainith...do a search on this site and you will find LOADS of info on steths...different brands, preferences, etc etc.
As for the hearing of outside noises, make sure your earpieces are in correctly...that might help. You get what you pay for with steths so although ones like Littman are more expensive, they are better acoustically. Try asking peers if you can borrow theirs for a minute and compare it to yours...you might be surprised.

[adnama]

Hey! Congrats on starting nursing school! I am finishing up my 2nd semester in the BSN accelerated program at MUSC. I have a Littman Cardiology stethescope that my father gave to me when he retired from being a family practitioner. It is a really good stethescope but I felt the same way when I first started. Just make sure that when you are trying to listen to something, the environment around you is as quiet as possible. Turn down the TV, tell people to be quiet, etc. Also, you won't really know how well your stethescope works until you actually know what you are listening for! Hope this helps! Good luck!

[JBRN2B]

Hello, I have a Littman Master Cardiology which is top of the line for non electronic. I love it and find it hard to use even the lower Littman's. In fact, I am considering even getting a electronic stethoscope, but those are considerably more expensive. Go to a store and try out the different stethoscopes. It is worth it to spend a little extra to hear better. Just keep in mind that you might want to get it engraved because as someone said the really popular stethoscopes like the Littman's "walk off"

[Cathyxis]

I ended up buying two of them. I first got the Littmann Cardiology III and I love it. I decided that someone else might love it as much as I do (my name can be scratched off the tubing), so I got a Littmann Select (with my initials on the diaphragm)for clinical.

I am happy with the Select for my use during clinical. It fits into my uniform pocket and if it is around my neck it isn't that heavy. Sound quality is OK - but I am comparing it to the Cardio III. Another student used the Select one time and raved about how great the sound was on it.

If I had to do all over again, I would have just gotten the Select.

[allimariee]

I use a regular sprague stethescope and it's perfectly adequate. I figure, more expensive ones run the risk of theft, so I'd rather have a cheap one (I'm not exactly made of money). I've never had a problem hearing with my $20 stethescope.

[adnama]

If you do decide to get an electronic stethescope, then make sure that you get it from a credible source. My mother bought my brother, who is graduating from medical school in a month, an electronic stethescope from what she thought was a credible website. She ended up paying about $400 for it. He got it a couple of weeks later and ended up not being able to hear any better. She was unable to return it b/c the website ended up being a little sketchy!!!! So...just make sure you get it from somewhere that has a return policy and things like that.

[lainith]

Thanks for all the input! I was just thinking about getting something a little nicer but I think I'll wait a while and see if I really think I need it right now. It likely won't be me that buys it so I'm not too worried about the cost. I just want something that will be easy for me to use and hear with. And I'd never think of getting a nice steth without getting it engraved. Heard way too many stories about how they grow legs and run away!

[miss rochelle]

love my littman classic II s.e. !! i paid around $100 for it, but it's worth every penny. my school prefers that we have a steth with a bell and diaphragm, so i got the classic II -- better than the cheapo ones sold at the school, and not as expensive as the cardiology steths.