I Need a Stethoscope

Nursing Students General Students

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Any suggestions for a good quality one that doesn't break the bank? Also, it sounds silly to say, but I would like one that was a bit cuter than the standard black.

It is more than I'd like to spend, but I LOVE the look of this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B7SD2D6/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1376883510&sr=1-9&pi=SL75

Would something like that look silly to have in nursing school? My school's introduction packet didn't say it had to be a certain brand/color, just that you needed your own.

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Many of my classmates have the exact stethoscope in that color. I personally have it in grey and I really like it! I ordered mine at medisave.net and was able to get it engraved with my name for free. Good luck in school!

It's a beautiful day to save lives.

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Many of my classmates have the exact stethoscope in that color. I personally have it in grey and I really like it! I ordered mine at medisave.net and was able to get it engraved with my name for free. Good luck in school!

It's a beautiful day to save lives.

Oh that is great! I would love to have mine engraved with my name!

Idk, to me the stethoscope is like each medical-related students "right of passage" tool. To me, it says, "You made it this far!" I want it to be the right one for me the first time that I'll always keep. :)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I would highly recommend one of two stethoscopes: the Littmann Classic II S.E. or the Littmann Lite. Both of these are relatively inexpensive and have a decent performance level that would allow you to hear what you need to and learn what you need to while you are in school. After you are done with school, if your job requires that you have a better stethoscope, then you should get one at that point. I would also encourage getting the head of the stethoscope engraved with at least your name so that it will be less likely to grow legs.

I would further suggest that you always keep your stethoscope physically on you, and not give it out. Once you lend your stethoscope out, it might be a bit more difficult to get it back because someone else might decide to borrow it from the person that borrowed it from you. The other thing that happens is that you might put it down somewhere and then you might forget to pick it up again. I have lost 2 stethoscopes that way. Fortunately, the ones I lost were not that expensive.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I have this one without the rainbow bell. I totally want to replace it with this one! Hint: don't store your stethescope with your ink pen in a bag! I got blue ink on my pink tubing.

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This is the standard for most of my classmates in my BSN program. I have this one (and worked in healthcare 2 yrs prior with cheaper stethoscopes and can definitely tell a difference. The ear piece comfort and awesome clarity is well worth the price. It also has a very clear system for switching between the bell and diaphragm. I am told by my instructors that it will serve me well in the field :)

I also think color can add a little excitement to a routine task...if you're worried about the extra flash just email an instructor. We have people with bright orange tubing on theirs and nobody blinks an eye

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Specializes in ICU.

I have that exact one. I'm starting here in a week. We all have to be so uniform, it's nice to have something to show personality. I got mine at medisave.net. Their prices are comparable to amazon and they engrave for free. Look into it!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Absolutely not, I had quite a few classmates with that color. I love the rainbow bell/diaphragm but they didn't have that option when I bought my stethoscope.

The Littmann Classic II is a great stethoscope to start out with and to carry you into your nursing career. If you take care of it, it will last. Just be careful about setting it down somewhere because Littmanns have a tendency to "walk off."

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I would highly recommend a Littmann Classic II! :-) Similar to another PP, I eventually upgraded to a Classic II after a few years of working in health care because I wanted a quality steth. Actually, the Classic II is required by my BSN program, but my husband upgraded me again to a Cardio III for getting into nursing school. Littmann has quality steths, regardless of model, that will you will carry through nursing school into your nursing career.

PS: Go for color! Both of my steths are black; but the colors are cute, and so is the rainbow finish. :-)

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Specializes in OR.

I have the same steth, too! If you have a scrub shop near you, I highly recommend going in and trying the stethoscopes out. At one of the shops near me, I was told the MDF and the Littmann were of the same quality, but the MDF was less expensive. The girl recommended I try both to see which worked for me, and allowed me to do so right there in the store. It turned out I heard better with the Littmann, but I have a classmate who heard better with the MDF and couldn't hear a thing with the Littmann.

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Check out allheart.com they have some good deals on Littmann stethoscopes! I have the Classic II S.E. I am starting my program next week and I have head that everyone swears by this stethoscope! I have the black with smoke finish! I do like the other colors but didn't want it to clash with my red scrubs! You can also get it engraved! It's better to spend the little extra money to be able to hear the sounds you need to hear then not. Plus the Littmann should last you all through school and the start of your career!

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I just spoke with two of my friends that are nurse one critical care (18 years) and a CRNA. The CRNA uses disposable ones her littman sits in her locker and the other says that the Prestige and ADC ones are the ones she uses over the littmans, she says they are just as good and more than 1/2 the price. I just bought one of each on Amazon for under $40. Spending enough on nursing school why spend a lot if you don't have to.

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