Which stethoscope? Which BP cuff? 1st semester

Nursing Students General Students

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Just starting nursing program this spring. Which stethoscope is best for students? Which BP cuff is best? I have heard that the most expensive is not always best for nursing students during the learning process. What do you have and would you recommend it? Are there any other items you would recommend for 1st semester nursing students?

Thank you

Lots of threads on this topic. Try the Littmann Lightweight stethoscopes. Usually good enough to get you trough nursing school and allow you to hear what you need. Once you become a nurse you can splurge on the more expensive cardiology series of stethoscopes.

Allheart.com has great deals on scopes and BP cuffs. You might try there.

I had a Littman lightweight from doing a CNA class, then a family member gave me a Littman classic before I started nursing school. Both are good, but lightweight was a lot cheaper at the time. Never bothered with anything more expensive because I heard it wasn't worth it. I usually bring the lightweight these days so if somehow it gets misplaced, it was cheaper and not a gift so less of a big deal. For skills testing, in my CNA and nursing programs anyway, we had to use double stethoscopes to get checked off, so it's just really important that you feel comfortable enough that you can do it even if you aren't using your "own" stuff. Some people got a little anxious about that and psych themselves out, but they all work the same.

Blood pressure cuff, personally I got an ADC one off Amazon and tried to pick a color that not everyone else in the class would have. (I underestimated how many people would pick purple!)

Not sure if you have clinicals first semester but would definitely recommend having a pair of very comfortable shoes locked down by the time you're at that point, and always carry at least two black pens, a highlighter, and a small notebook.

You might try to find out if they are giving you anything before you go nuts. Personally in our first semester we were given little things like scissors, a penlight, tape measure, etc.

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You may not need a BP cuff (unless you were told to get one). Now as a nurse, I use it, but I didn't really in nursing school, as they were always provided.

Littmann has great stethoscopes. Even a basic Littmann will get through school and beyond. I have a Master Classic and a Cardiology, but I may sell the cardio to get a neonatal one.

Hey guys how expensive should we go for choosing stethoscopes? I keep looking through littman reviews and they're a little mixed depending on what specific kind it is. I'd like to know of good quality ones that aren't too costly.

Specializes in Emergency Department.

Pretty much any of the Littmann stethoscopes will be of sufficient quality to get you through school and beyond. I have heard that ADC makes some generally comparable ones. Ultrascope definitely has a loyal following as well.

My simple recommendation is to buy a stethoscope that's in the $30-$75 range and go with that. You're not likely to find a bad steth in that price range and it won't be (usually) too painful to replace should it be misplaced or get stolen/permanently borrowed by someone.

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