Best littmann stethoscope model for Nursing School?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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Hello!

I'll be starting my Nursing school journey this fall! Any suggestions on what stethoscope I should be looking into getting? There are so many different models and since I have never used this instrument before, any feedback is greatly appreciated! :)

Thank you!!

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

In my experience, the cheap double barrel ones are perfectly fine in school and on a lot of units.

Beware though, the ones in the bookstore are often marked up a good bit lol

Maybe give Amazon a glance.

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If you do go with a littman go with the cheapest model - that's all you need for nursing school. Plus, nurses and residents will want to borrow your stethoscope and you will have to track them down to get it back. Get yourself a nice stethoscope as a graduation gift and make sure to get your name engraved on it!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency.

I had a classic se ii and it was fantastic. I couldn't hear with the lightweight (cheapest littmann) but heard perfectly well with the classic. It was like $70-80

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

The cheapest Littman is much better than the most expensive Sprague. Go with the cheapest one; you can't go wrong.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to Scrubs/uniforms/gear forum

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The Littmann Lightweight SE is less than $50 and perfect for nursing students, as well as seasoned nurses who work in non-critical care practice settings.

I also recommend the MaxiScope, which is made by UltraScope. They cost about $40 and will provide years of dependable use.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Littman classic 2 or 3 is more than enough 'scope for school and beyond

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I really appreciate everyones input! Another quick question... Is there a noticeable difference between the Lightweight II S.E. and the Classic II S.E. or which would you prefer? Thanks a bunch! :)

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I have the littmann classic III, it's great for my cardiac unit. In school, I had the classic II and the lightweight, and I actually preferred the lightweight for clinical. I could hear equally well on the classic II and lightweight.

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Specializes in Stepdown . Telemetry.

I would get the classic ii, its like $80 but why spend 40 now on the cheap one if u plan on getting the $80 one in 2 years, when u could just invest in your scope that will last well into your career. I would not get the cardiology one though, its a little much. i still use my classic ii i love it so much!

However the cheaper littman is perfectly fine for school and your career. So its also a good choice.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
I really appreciate everyones input! Another quick question... Is there a noticeable difference between the Lightweight II S.E. and the Classic II S.E. or which would you prefer? Thanks a bunch! :)

I have owned the lightweight, classic 2, classic 3, and cardio 3.

I sold the cardio 3 because it was way too much 'scope for school. Yes, you can hear everything - but when you aren't quite sure year what you are hearing it's way too much.

I sold the lightweight because while it was ok and worked for all your basic nursing tasks the diaphragm was an awkward shape and I had a hard time positioning it to hear best.

I still have both my classic 2 and 3. The sound quality on the classic 2 is great and 3 is just a little better than the 2. But I like that the 3 has the peds diaphragm making it multifunctional (I love multifunctional things [emoji3])

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