Need Scope advice

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Published

in the process of purchasing my first stethoscope. I have looked at many! Just wanted to get input from others concerning their journey. Got to order it within the next few days to it will be here by the start of school. Also what BP cuff is a good purchase that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. thanks in advance for your help!

Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello!

The Littmann stethoscopes (littman.com) are regarded as the best on the market. They start at around $65 all the way up to several hundred dollars. The $65+ ones are more than good enough for students, no need to get fancier. They will last you a lifetime and are comfortable to wear.

Your school should be supplying you with BP cuffs for practice. When you do your clinicals, the institution will provide them for the students. However, if you are being required to purchase one, then I must say I have no idea... sorry.

Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Oh!

As for the blood pressure cuff... I got a wrist type pressure cuff for personal use. They sell them at Walgreens and CVS pharmacies for about $50-$60 dollars. They need two AA batteries, and work great. I've had it for a year now and love it. They are compact, so easy to carry!

I didn't take it to my clinicals for two reasons: (1) the institution provided them for us and (2) I didn't want to pick up other people's diseases to bring them home with me.

Kimynurse

376 Posts

When I graduated LPN school my mil bought me a litman cardio III, it was "borrowed" without permission, luckily it was engraved in the bell with my name, it now lives mostly at home.

I just purchased a litman light for RN school, I compared, them side by side and the light is almost the se quality , and is all ill need for school

CardiacKittyRN

144 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac.

I have the Littman Classic and I love it! Works well for school, but I really want a cardio edition when I graduate.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 722 Posts

Specializes in CMSRN.

If you have a local medical supply store, go and get one there. You can get sets for about $30-50 that are FINE for school. I have a cuff and scope that have been great and we took them to the nursing home because the facility had maybe two in the building.

Obviously spending a little more on a scope is a good idea once you're a nurse, in school there is certainly a possibility of one walking off. I'm going to get a Littman when I graduate. :-)

MAtoLVN

44 Posts

I have a littman classic 2 and I love it! I got it engraved for free too!

bluedove1

81 Posts

in the process of purchasing my first stethoscope. I have looked at many! Just wanted to get input from others concerning their journey. Got to order it within the next few days to it will be here by the start of school. Also what BP cuff is a good purchase that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. thanks in advance for your help!
Thank you all for responding to my question. I purchased a Classic II and had it engraved. After using cheaper scopes during an A/P class where I could not hear a thing and so much riding on performing skills and passing those skills, I just decided to get something that would benefit me in the long run. You can best believe it will not be loan out without someone giving me their first born.....hehehehehe I also purchase a cuff for at home practice...the school requires us to bring cuff to labs too.
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