Need a new stethoscope...suggestions?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Published

I'm about to begin my 2nd semester in nursing school and my beloved stethoscope recently broke because of my own fault (i got it free from someone, there wasn't even a brand name on it!) and so I'm in the market for a new one. I don't know if I should get a cheapy or invest and get a better one. I really don't want to spend more than $50 though as I am broke and I fear it'll grow legs at clinical. It looks like the Littman Lightweight and the Littman Select are both around $45 online, are they worth the money? If so which one is better? Any other good ones out there that are not super expensive? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Find somebody who has both of these and see if you can hear out of them. Or go to a store where they let you test run them. What's good for one person isn't for another.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your response. I went to a couple local stores the ones there were packaged and they wouldn't let me open them. I don't know anyone with either; a friend of mine has a littman but not either of those 2. Classes haven't started back up yet so I'm not surrounded by stethoscopes at the moment to test out. And unfortunately i need one ASAP, if I'm going to order online (which I've found seems to be a lot cheaper than the local stores) I need to do it soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Nursing Stethoscope forum.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

I'd spend the extra $30 and get a Littmann Classic II SE. I'm just not a huge fan of plastic stethoscopes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, M/S, CCU, ER.

I really wanted a Littmann Cardiology III when I got a new scope, but it was out of my price range. I went with an Adscope clone of the Cardiology III for about $70, and it works beautifully. The docs often borrow my scope, and many have commented, "Ah, you have a GOOD one!". One caveat--it's pretty heavy. I can pick up on breath and cardiac sounds that other people can't with their lighter scopes, though.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the tuneable diaphragm. I like a bell and diaphragm scope, but many people have and love the tuneables.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment