[Scrubz]

Originally Posted by jnmoore02

What's a good stethoscope and hemo to buy for nursing school???

I've got a Littman Master Cardiology stethoscope and it works great. It's a little on the expensive side, but it's worth it. If you can dish out the money I'd go for one of those electronic stethoscopes.

[emtb2rn]

You could also try the GRx stethoscopes. http://grxmedical.com/stethoscopes.asp I've been using the Expert Cardiology Stethoscope (model CD27) for the past year. I can pick up murmurs and faint lung sounds just fine. Save yourself some big $$$ over the Littmann.

As for hemostats, pick 'em up on e-bay for cheap.

[StayinOnTheGrind]

Is there that much of a noticeable difference in acoustics between the Littmann Cardiology III and the Classic SE II? I would like to purchase something for nursing school, but I do not want to buy something that is out of my league for the time being.

[jnmoore02]

Well I bought a cardio III and I start school this 20th, I figured since there's been great response for this product I decided to purchase it. The plus is that I will be able to use this after school, once I'm in the clinical setting. I figure if you have the money buy one now and don't waste time buying a cheap one then later you will need to get another for work?

[Alternator81]

Originally Posted by jnmoore02

So I made a good choice then

I have a Master Cardiology, Black edition, from Littmanns. It is great.. I can hear everything out of it!

[Reno1978]

I have a Classic II that works just fine. I think I'll ask for a better one for a graduation present in December.

[mtruland]

I have an ADC Adscope 602 cardiology stethoscope. I got it from Galls magazine, and I absolutely love it. I have no issues with it whatsoever. There is one downside in that it likes to pick up the diesel engine of one of our ambulances, but frankly, I never use that ambulance when I run on calls. I can still hear fine with the noise, it just takes a little longer to hear.

I'd recommend it for sure.

[nycguy]

I have a Littmann Classic II S.E. Stethoscope. I think it's perfect for nursing school b/c you can hear really well with it and its has the diaphragm and bell side. I originally had a Littmann Master Classic II which is an even better stethoscope, however, I do not recommend it for nursing school b/c my instructors told me I could not use it in peds and ob/gyn clinicals b/c it lacks a bell side.

[mcknis]

There is a tremendous notice in quality between the cardiology scopes and the Littmann Classic II SE (or lesser) type scopes. On an infant, small peds pt, or thin/emaciated pt, the quality might not be that noticeable. It truly is noticeable on gastric bypass patients and any other pts of significant sizes. It is nice having a peds diaphragm, as is on the Littmann Cardiology III, but any scope can be used on peds or infant pts, with a little fanagling (sp?)

Some people feel that a cardiology scope is too much, but try one out, and determine for yourself. Go to a local uniform/stethoscope shop, or your schools bookstore, and test drive them. I think you will be truly surprised at the difference in quality between the many scopes out there. I have purchased several scopes and have noticed that I, personally, hear best out of cardiology scopes (I use a Littmann Cardiology III for nursing school), but the cheaper Littmanns work well for me as well (use an ADC 603 at the hospital as a nursing assistant-littmann classic II SE cheaper version with same quality). Try them out and then you'll know.

You may do well with a cheap $5 scope, or may only be able to use the cardiology scopes.

[CT Pixie]

I've had all different makes of stethoscopes and I swear by Littman.

I had a girl in class who could never hear a correct BP, apical pulse or lung and bowel sounds, I handed her my Littman. You should have seen her eyes widen! She was finally able to hear what she should have been hearing for a while. She had been using a "cheapy" steth. I guess you get what you pay for.

When I graduate I am asking for an upgrade on my Littman. Not exactly sure which one I want yet. It depends on where my career takes me.