Best Nursing School Stethoscope?

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Where are you reading these conflicting ideas? There are a hundred threads here on an discussing this very topic

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Check out the Adscope 603... comes in a variety of colors, and in my experience is right up there with a Littman Cardiology for a fraction of the cost.

Also, anticipate this thread being moved to the Nursing Gear forum.

jhinds12 · Jul 30, 2016

Personally I love Littmann, I currently have their light weight model and I am in nursing school. However, I am looking into getting a new one as well. Littmann is expensive, but it is like the old saying goes...you get what you pay for.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

The best one for school is the one you want to keep and use for the foreseeable future. Get the best you can afford. I think the difference in Littmann's comes down to personal preference. I'd suggest going into a medical supply store and using both. Take someone with you and listen to their heart and lungs... maybe take a BP. and see which one you like the best.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

There's no need to invest in a high-priced stethoscope at a time when you do not even know how to use it.

I recommend the Littmann Lightweight SE or the MaxiScope (made by UltraScope). Both stethoscopes are durable, produce excellent sound, and less than $50.

CacaoHeart · Jul 30, 2016

As long as you don't have hearing issues, most any stethoscope will likely be fine. Many nurses at work use the disposable contact isolation stethoscopes for everything. I have always generated excess cerumen/earwax, and found that even though I can hear ordinary conversation fine, if my ears haven't just been cleaned I struggle to hear blood pressures accurately with cheap stethoscopes, much less heart/lung sounds. Early on in my nursing program I had to get my hearing checked when I initially failed the bp checkoff, and found my hearing was perfect after a good cleaning.

In school I used a Littman Cardiology III, and in my final semester switched to a Thinklabs One, an electronic stethoscope that lets me hear everything I need to and more. My instructors liked it and said they'd recommend it to any future students that have issues with normal stethoscopes. If needed, 2 sets of headphones could be plugged in to listen with an instructor for a checkoff, or each person could use one earbud.

Erythropoiesis · Jul 30, 2016

There is absolutely no need to jump and buy a cardiology stethoscope for school. I have an $80 Littmann Classic II and it works great. Also keep a cheap one around in case of emergencies (your expensive one goes missing and you need a stethoscope that day, etc)

Krzysztof · Jul 30, 2016

Having tried a number of different stethoscopes over recent years, I recommend the 3M Littmann Lightweight II S.E. I've found it to be pretty darn durable in addition to providing good auditory quality.

I wear my scope on my neck. Although the difference in weight vs. standard model is very small, I think the distribution of weight is more even. In other words, the bell doesn't embark on southbound travel to the point it falls into or onto something heinous. (No need for anyone to reply with the fact that they haven't had this problem in their 99 years of nursing. I'm sure it's a "me" problem.) :sarcastic:

Krzysztof · Jul 30, 2016

Where are you reading these conflicting ideas? There are a hundred threads here on an discussing this very topic

Now that's not a very friendly welcome.

And there are hundreds of threads discussing nearly every topic. Sometimes a person wants to elicit fresh thoughts. And sometimes new folks aren't forum savvy. It's not criminal. Just sayin'. :up:

guest798886 · Jul 31, 2016

I've got a Littman Classic II and it works great! I would take someone else's advice about bringing someone with you and listening to their heart sounds

madricka, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

I bought a super cheap one in first year nursing school and got rid of it within a few months in favour of a Littmann Classic. I have used my Littmann ever since (even in critical care). You don't need an expensive or fancy stethoscope but don't go super cheap -- it might work to deliver the sound but will be heavy, awkward, uncomfortable in your ears, etc. It's more about knowing how to use it, what sounds you are listening for, how to interpret what you are hearing (as well as comfort -- both in your ears and around your neck/in your pocket). And no matter what model you go for, keep your eyes on it!!! Stethoscopes tend to grow feet and run away when you're not looking (nurses, docs, RTs, etc). Keep track of your bits!

If you want tips on interpreting what you're hearing or want to listen to various heart/lung sounds, if you go to the Littmann website and click on the education tab, they have TONS of resources (they even have an app!).