Do I need 2 stethoscopes?

[meghan91]

I was reading a few posts on here and I saw a few people say that they bought a good stethoscope (a littmann for example) and used that for learning, clinicals basically ... that was their main stethoscope.

But then they also bought a cheaper stethoscope (like a prestige stethoscope/ BP cuff combo package for 30-40$) and they used that BP cuff for practice/ lab and then kept that stethoscope in their car so they always had a back up stethoscope in case they forgot their "good" stethoscope at home on a day of lab/clinical.

Did any of you guys do that?

Do you think its worth doing that?

[Kidrn911]

only if you have thieves run off with yours

my new job, we had a code one hour i started, literally my first hour of employment in the ed, a resident yanked my ears off my shoulder as i am trying to help with iv, and then walked away before i could look up. my manager and i hunted her down like a rapid dog for being so rude.

[Joe N635DC]

I keep 2 around. I have my original cheepy from way back in my EMS days when I just started out. I keep that one in the car now in case I come across something and can help out. As for my good one. I have a littman master cardiology that I wouldnt trade for the world that I keep that in my bag/locker. One good tip though is when you get a good one (or even a decent littman) keep you eye on it. These things can grow legs and vanish.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to Nursing Scrubs / Uniforms / Gear

[GypsyJen]

I just bought a Prestige for 25 bucks. I hope it works good!! I'm used to using the cheap pos ones at work though, and if I can hear with those things, I should be able to hear with anything!

[FMF Corpsman, MSN, RN]

It's never a good idea to leave your stethoscope in the car, especially the more expensive models like the Littmann's etc. Say you work 3-11 or 7p-7a, and your "ears" were left in the car, at the mercy of the hot sun all day. The rubber or plasticized tubing would soon begin to dryrot or dry out and crack and your nice stethoscope would soon be a worthless piece of scrap you could trust to listen to the ticking of a clock. Do yourself, your paycheck and stethoscope a favor and leave it in your locker and if you think you might need a stethoscope away from work, by another, less expensive one, you can carry with you or have away from work. Oh, and while we're talking about Littmann Stethoscopes, to those of you who haven't dared to to the rubber drum ear pieces, try them, they really do make a world of difference. They block out a great deal more of the surrounding sound than the other tips. I like them better, but to each his own.

[FMF Corpsman, MSN, RN]

I always have 2 stethoscopes for use. the "expensive" ones might not be "all they're cracked up to be" because I've learned it's not how much money you put into the scope that matters, it's how well you can HEAR or LISTEN that matters.

Having said that, I had a "el cheapo" sprauge dual tube scope (20 bucks) that was the worst one I've ever used, but carry 2 ten - dollar single tube ones now , and can hear best with those, even outdoing the littman's I've borrowed.

It boils down to a matter of affordability, practice, and knowing your own preferences.

In the hospital, there are supposed to be disposable scopes available for the Isolation Carts so in a pinch, I'd rob that if I had to.

I started out as a Medic, worked as Patient Care Tech in over 3 hospitals, and can say this. A Nurse may or may NOT have her scope with her, and may only have one, but ask ANY Nurse, and they'll tell you the GOOD nurses are the ones who ALWAYS have a good scope with them. You never know when you're going to need it.

My scope is multi purpose. It carries tape, a tourniquet, and is a good scope, and helps to identify me from the professional that I am from the "daily housekeepers." I won't ever be found without a GOOD one, especially as a Student Nurse..

From one Doc to another: Just an observation, you may not want to use your stethoscope as a carry-all for your tape, tourniquet, etc as anything, anything, slightly touching any part of the stethoscope is amplified into your ears and distorts whatever you are listening for, be it breathsounds, heartsounds, bowelsounds, whatever. You aren't going to get a true read if there is anything hanging off of, touching or brushing against your stethoscope. It will either mask what you are listening for or distort the normal sound. Maybe not every time, but can you take the chance that it won't at just the right time?

[sweetgeorgia]

I only have one stethascope and it has served me well and continues to do so. I don't really see a need to have a spare unless you work in an area or specialty where there is lots of commotion and rapid assessment, reassessment. I do however think ALL nurses should have a pocket pulse oximeter on them. Hospitals are notorious for not having quality equipment or missing pieces to vital sign machines, etc. Invest in all the vital sign assessment tools you can get your hands on that are relevant to your practice and work for you. :)

[medic9872]

I have two but only use one of them. I bought a littman classic ii se when I was in emt school and used it until I graduated paramedic school and bought a littman cardiology iii. It's the one I used constantly. I would definitely recommend getting a good quality stethoscope. It's well worth the cost.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

well, you can say one thing: if you don't have a good one, you'll never learn to hear more subtle sounds. the difference can be astonishing. me, i have my original littman from 25 years ago, with new tubing and ear pieces. still works wonderfully.

the tubing material may deteriorate faster in a hot car.

if you don't want to lose yours, don't take it off and put it down. if somebody wants to borrow it, say no. if you don't want to say no, be sure it is largely and prominently labeled with your name on it, and have your pen attached to it on a long tether so it stays in your pocket. that will make it too annoying for docs to steal.

last: be sure that you adjust the stethoscope so the earpieces are pointing forward, towards the tip of your nose. if they aren't, they aren't optimally aiming down your ear canal to your eardrum. tv nurses and docs do this wrong all the time, but i see my md's med assistant doing it too.

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

I have a littman as well, classic II Se. It's been pretty good so far! The master cardiology ones are so nice, but I don't need one. I ditto the pulse ox! One of the best investments ever!

[WahineMakai]

I have a very nice Littman that was my husband's from paramedic school -- it's in perfect condition since he never carried it once he graduated 10 years ago (he opts to use whatever's on the rig). I received a cheapy steth and BP cuff set as a gift from my EMT instructor for finishing at the top of the class. I'll probably carry that one too, at least in my bag during nursing school, as a back up. But if I didn't already have 2 stethoscopes, I doubt I would spend the money on buying a second one. There's PLENTY of other necessary items to spend money on these days!

[LIZZYICU]

It's a shame that when nurses need a nice stethoscope the most, for learning when they are just starting, that they can typically not afford them. I was one of these, and remember comparing my instructor's cardiac Littmann to my own during lab and being amazed at how much more sense sounds made when I used hers. I would say that, if money is an issue, go with a sprague. These have the best user ratings of the cheaper stethoscopes, and (also of note) in this class the thicker tubing usually yields a better quality sound. Later, or as soon as you can afford one, I would recommend a cardiac Littman. Even better, more expensive, and exceptionally nerdy is an electronic stethoscope! :) It is convenient, for ME, to have 2 stethoscopes, but this is because I keep one at home for emergencies and one at work. By keeping my Littmann in my locker at work, I never forget it.