When did wearing a stethoscope become popular

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 5, 2012

Really???my skin isn't oily enough to ruin my stethescope. I always wore it around my neck when I worked the floor. It was right there when I needed it,no one else borrowed it, and the patients didn't walk off with it.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

The one day of my career that I set down my stethoscope, I walked into my patient's room to turn him really quick (Murphy's Law is lurking already!) and my comfort care patient had passed away. It was like being at a pool party in a parka.

That and it's so much easier for disgruntled patients, family members, and the rear echelon to strangle you with when it's around your neck. It really is a matter of convenience for everyone.

hecallsmeDuchess · Jul 5, 2012

Mine's always around my neck because of convenience, not to make a fashion statement and I'm proud to say I've never lost one yet. What's cool about a stethoscope anyway? I've never in my life seen anyone wearing a stethoscope around their neck and suddenly think "oh, what a fashion forward person they are."

nursefrances, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

I usually keep it in the cargo pocket of my scrub pants during morning assessment then put it in the bottom drawer of the med cart I use for the shift, it is still with me if/when I need to use it again. Sometimes if I am in a hurry I will put it around my neck but it doesn't feel comfortable to me so it doesn't stay there long.

wooh, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

It's not a fashion accessory (and I have yet to think of one nursing student who views it as such), it's an instrument to be used in the clinical setting, no different or exciting than a penlight.

That's why I always keep the penlight behind my ear. And I carry a sphygnomanometer and cuff on my arm. I also tape a box of gloves to my butt.

Along with my fanny pack, they make me the most fashion forward girl in town.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

I have heard the wearing a stethoscope around your neck damages the tubing because of the oils in your skin. So when did wearing a stethoscope around the neck become popular? I know as nursing students we all do it because we want everyone to know were in nursing school and we think it looks cool. I see some nurses wearing their's around their neck and some just leave it somewhere.

I don't think people wear their stethoscopes around their necks because it's "popular", it's because it's the practical place to keep it. You need your stethoscope constantly. I never thought I needed to wear it in school so that people would know who I was (especially since wearing I stethoscope does not scream "Hi I'm a nursing student"... everyone from the nurses' aides to the doctors carries stethoscopes) nor do I think I need to wear it now for that reason, it's because I need to use it in every room I go into.

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2012

I haven't read all the other replies yet, but I hate wearing a stethoscope around my neck, so I try to keep it in my pocket. I must say though, if you want to look cool, the hologram ultrascope is awesome.

malestunurse · Jul 5, 2012

Mine just doesn't fit in my pocket with all my other crap.

redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN · Jul 5, 2012

I'd be suspicious of a nurse that I never once saw WITH a stethoscope... if I have mine around my neck I haven't put it away from morning assessments yet...but if you lay it down it may end up gone. Dang that thing hurts my neck after awhile though.

Katie71275 · Jul 5, 2012

We are made to carry them in our pockets not around our neck. they can hit the patients when you are leaning down.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

My professor once told me that we were not allowed to wear them around our neck because of the transmissions of germs. I didn't know my neck was so much dirtier than the pocket I might have put a used Kleenex in. Is there really a risk of transmission by wearing it around your neck?

celtwoman · Jul 5, 2012

You are so right Jennifer! The thread is weird! More weird would be if we talked about the nurses caps we used to have to wash and starch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad we don't do THAT anymore!