New Stethoscope Help :(

[parkj9]

Hello,

After much research, I ended up purchasing a Littmann Classic II SE. However, once I received it and tried to listen to my own heartbeat, I could barely make it out. I had to strain to listen to it. I thought it would be very easy to hear and audible/loud, but it was pretty subtle. I know it may be that my heartbeat is more faint than others' as I haven't tried it out on other people yet. And yes, the earbuds were in the correct way and the ear pieces fit perfectly. I also made sure that the diaphragm was open and the bell was closed.

Could it be that I'm just not used to auscultating and picking up sounds yet? Or maybe my hearing? I've never thought that I had hearing problems at all..Also, if I end up changing stethoscopes I am thinking about getting the Cardiology III as many people have said that it is loud and clear but I am worried that even after the extra money, that it won't make a huge difference. Any suggestions/advice?

[parkj9]

It's what I used for clinicals. I lent it to another student I trust (we were also in a lock down psych unit) and she was impressed by it. I use my cardiology at work when I triage partially because it has a pediatric diaphragm on it.

Would you suggest that I just switch to a Cardiology III? Since I know we'll be doing clinicals in peds later on and you can switch between the pediatric diaphragm/bell if needed. Plus it already has a tunable diaphragm. Or do you think the Classic II is alright for now just to use during nursing school and I can get the Cardiology III later on?

[green34]

A lot of nurses love their classic and still use it. It is a good stethoscope. If you can still return it, I would consider it and wait to purchase a cardiology III at Black Friday. That is when the sales are. Also, if you were to get hired in as a nurse extern at a later date, you could write off the stethoscope as a work purchase. However, whatever stethoscope you purchase you should consider getting it engraved.

I personally like both of the stethoscopes, but cardiology III is superior in my book. I use the ones at school and I can barely hear anything. I use the ones we have in the hospital and they are harder to hear. Plus they hurt my ears.

What I would do now is go back and just purchase my cardiology III. The reason why I didn't is because back then they didn't have the rainbow finish. Seriously. That is why I didn't purchase it. Very technical and great reasoning on my part. When they came out with the rainbow finish for the cardiology III, I bought one.

[parkj9]

A lot of nurses love their classic and still use it. It is a good stethoscope. If you can still return it, I would consider it and wait to purchase a cardiology III at Black Friday. That is when the sales are. Also, if you were to get hired in as a nurse extern at a later date, you could write off the stethoscope as a work purchase. However, whatever stethoscope you purchase you should consider getting it engraved.

I personally like both of the stethoscopes, but cardiology III is superior in my book. I use the ones at school and I can barely hear anything. I use the ones we have in the hospital and they are harder to hear. Plus they hurt my ears.

What I would do now is go back and just purchase my cardiology III. The reason why I didn't is because back then they didn't have the rainbow finish. Seriously. That is why I didn't purchase it. Very technical and great reasoning on my part. When they came out with the rainbow finish for the cardiology III, I bought one.

Haha ok you have me sold. I think I will return this one and go for the Cardiology. It'll probably give me a peace of mind too knowing that the acoustics are better :) Thanks so much for your awesome input!!

[green34]

Do get it engraved and never let it out of your sight. People will steal stethoscopes or grab them if they leave them lying around. Some people leave them lying on the work stations and that is risky. I know a student first semester left her stethoscope somewhere and a nurse picked it up thinking it was his. Get into a habit of sticking it in one pocket if you have multiple pockets (one ER I was at gave employees acrubs and we had just one tiny shirt pocket). Even if you trust someone 100%, they may forget about it and leave it lying around. Even patient families will steal stuff. They may say "oh, my niece is going into nursing school and this way she won't have to buy a stethoscope" without realizing each nurse buys their own.