What kind of Stethoscope?

Nursing Students General Students

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Fellow nursing students- what kind of stethoscope do you use/have you used? I have heard wonderful reviews about Littman's but our clinical instructor suggested starting off with a cheaper one first (and buying a nicer, specialized one after graduation/once you start working on a specific unit). I don't know what kind would be too cheap, but I also don't want to pay a fortune.

I'm looking at ADC, Prestige, and Mabis...but would love any/all suggestions!

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I used Prestige throughout my entire year of school..But once I listened to lung sounds through a Littman, I never wanted to go back!Lol.My Prestige did it's job though.

I have a littman and it cost about 85 bucks.

Thanks for the feedback! I have definitely heard rave reviews about Littman, and I'm sure I'll get one eventually haha....but after paying for my books/uniforms and all that fun for this first semester, I think I want a lower cost one haha

Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I've been thinking about this too... is anyone using any of the MDF (life time warranty) brands?

Thank you.

I've looked at the MDF Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope, it seems to get pretty good reviews!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Have a littmann master cardiology but I'm also a pre-med for cardiology :p

Get a littmann

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

I suggest the littmann classic 2

Specializes in Pediatrics, Trauma.

I have the Littman classic 2. My school suggested it, and I LOVE it.

How cheap? Cause if you can find a classic II for around $50, that's a pretty good investment imo. It will serve you well in nursing school, and, reportedly, will also be sufficient when you start nursing. No need to spend a lot of money on a cardiology as a new nurse- I think it would be overkill.

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I pondered this so much before I started nursing school. I read all the reviews, got advice and etc. It was a big deal for me. Now, in my fourth semester of nursing school, I can honestly say: Get what you can afford and move on. The stethoscope you have, provided it is basically functional, will most likely be the least of your worries. I ended up buying a Littman. I like it fine. But some of my classmates have less expensive stethoscopes and they are perfectly content with them. You can always drop the hint for that graduation present...

Specializes in Emergency Department.

Personally, I use a Littmann Cardiology III, but then I've had that one for about 14 years. It works really well. It's also fairly expensive. For student use, I don't necessarily advise you buy any particular brand, just find a stethoscope priced between about $30 and $70, and you'll get a stethoscope that will likely serve you well throughout school and into your first job as a nurse. Quite honestly, the sounds that you need to hear as a nursing student can usually be easily picked up by almost any stethoscope above $4, especially once you know what you're listening for. I have my primary stethoscope, my backup is a Littmann Classic II Lite (out of production), and it's backup is a $12 dual head stethoscope. They're all perfectly fine, but the higher the quality, the more subtle sounds you can hear. Notice I didn't say higher price... because there are high quality stethoscopes that are cheaper than the Littmann Cardiology series units.

Good luck, find a steth and move forward!

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