[lifeLONGstudent]

CCU nurses,

What stethescope are you using and would you recommend it? I am starting BSN school soon and will need one. The cheap ones hurt my ears and I am contemplating getting a mediocre one now ($50-70) or just bitting the bullet and getting a really nice one (lithman Cardio $150).

Thanks for any input,
lifeLONGstudent

[Dixielee]

I have tried several options over the years and am convinced the Littman Cardiology 3 is the best for me. I hear things that I did not hear with my old stethescope. I have had my current one for about 3 years and the tubing is beginning to split in one spot ( I have this nifty tape job on it). My biggest complaint is that I have not been able to find a place to just order replacement tubing, but they sell the tubing and ear assembly as one preassembled set and you just replace your bell onto it. They are fairly pricy at about $70.

If you do get a Littman, have your name engraved on the bell and label it every way you can and then never let it off your neck. They are hot items to steal. Yes, you may not think that your fellow students or others would stoop so low, but leave your scope laying around and see how fast that changes!

Edited to add: Sorry, I didn't know this was for CCU nurses, I am just an ER nurse, so you may disregard any advice I may have given

[lifeLONGstudent]

Edited to add: Sorry, I didn't know this was for CCU nurses, I am just an ER nurse, so you may disregard any advice I may have given

Thank you for the advice. I am asking anyone who would respond! I posted the question for CCU nurses because I was in their section.

I am definately getting one with my name on it..... my hubby joked that if someone wanted to rob me to gladly give them my purse (worth all of about $5.99), but to hide my stethoscope! LOL

Thanks for the input.

[lee1]

Tycos WelchAllyn Elite

Have used this model for the past 35 years of critical care
Holds up much better than Littman IMO

http://www.allheart.com/ty507932xdh.html

I have a green one with extra diaphragm and ear tips for pediatric use also

[lee1]

Tycos® Harvey DLX w/free pediatric kit(Black)
5079-325S

Designed to accentuate the critically important high frequency sounds. Ten year warranty.
Tycos® Harvey Elite™ w/free pediatric kit(Black)
5079-125S

Sleek stainless steel chest piece with anti-chill rings. Ten year warranty.
Tycos® Professional Double Head(Black)
5079-135


High quality, single-lumen general diagnostic stethoscope. Five-year warranty.
Master Elite Stethoscope
5079-405S


Featuring a revolutionary microelectronic design, allows you to hear more of the sounds you need to hear and less of the sounds you don’t.

List Price:$201.25
Student Price: $133.00
Black (shown)
Burgundy
Navy
Forest Green

[sleepless in norman]

I have been in healthcare since HS, I haveused a littman cardioscope since graduating from RN school, littman cardioscope II is excellant for respiratory auscultation and heart tones, it's exspensive but well worth the money, so it really depends on your area of specialty, my first one the tubing became hard and cracked, I shipped it back to littman and they sent it back to me with new tubing, at no charge, so they do honor their warrenty. Good Luck.

[Heartman]

Over twenty years ago a stethescope salesman told me " It's not the stethecope, it's what you have between the earpieces"

One of those thoughts that has always stayed with me. Especially in July when you see all the shiney new scopes around the necks of the shiney new interns.

Walt

[lifeLONGstudent]

" It's not the stethecope, it's what you have between the earpieces"


that is a good quote.... I am just nervous ordering a relatively expensive piece of equipment that I cannot try on before buying... I want something comfortable and high quality, but without breaking the pigyg bank.

[Heartman]

Check out the Littmann II SE. Cost is $45 to $50. Available online from multiple venders.

This is a quality scope for every thing you will probably need. Lung sounds, bowel sounds, carotid bruits etc.

IMHO you only need an ultra sensative, re: expensive, scope if you want to listen to advanced heart sounds. And these days you can look at the echocardiogram to check out wall and valve function.

In addition many pts. in isolation have a scope dedicated to their room and you won't be using your scope in that situation anyway.

Walt

[pickledpepperRN]

Perhaps an inexpensive pair of soft ear peices would help. I say this because I hear as well with the double tube Sprague type as my Littman Cardioscope.