Recommended Stethoscope for STUDENT!

tammy_zeidan09 · May 9, 2012

I have a Littmann Master Cardiology. I had the master classic II in school. Both are nice stethoscopes which I would recommend, but I am absolutely in love with my master cardiology. I bought myself my master cardiology stethoscope when I graduated nursing school and it was one of the best purchases I ever made. I can hear literally EVERYTHING on it. I have gotten so confident on that stethoscope with breath and heart sounds, and can hear even the slightest heart murmurs. My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner so that I could have benefited from it in school. It's an expensive stethoscope but well worth the money since you will learn so much on it. I work in pediatrics too and it suits me very well there even though it is not traditionally a pediatric stethoscope (although it does have a peds attachment that I never use). Personally I think it is better to get a really nice stethoscope early on and learn well with it. If you use a really really cheap one you won't be able to hear anything well at all, and what is the point of that?

That's what I've always wondered when people say not to spend money on a good steth. Like when one of the posters said we don't know what we are listening for...well yeah obviously, which is why we need something that will ALLOW us to differntiate the sounds.

I just purchased the lightweight by Littmann. It's no cardiology, ut hopefully that'll serve me well!

mikeicurn, ASN, RN · May 9, 2012

I had a Littman select that was a gift when I started nursing school. It served me well, but when I started in ICU/CCU I wanted to upgrade. Most of my coworkers used ADC's and master cardiology scopes. I couldn't afford to spend a lot, so I bought a KILA cardiology scope. I am thrilled with it. I have compared it against the master cardiology scope, and I can't tell a difference between the two, and the KILA is a fraction of the cost. I got bright orange so I can spot it around someone's neck if they borrow it. I use it in isolation rooms, I just slide a glove over the head and then stretch the glove tight over the diaphram. You can hear through it like it wasn't even there.

ImKosher · May 25, 2012

Whatever. And you want to know why seasoned nurses get fed up with students. If you already know everything, don't ask!

This makes me laugh every time! :lol2: I guess it's funny because I picture BlueDevil's avatar saying the quote.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 25, 2012

This makes me laugh every time! I guess it's funny because I picture BlueDevil's avatar saying the quote.

LOL and being accused of being a drama llama to boot.

I should add that steth stealing student would steal the isolation steths too and the med cart steths at the nursing home. No steth was safe from her.

Morainey, BSN, RN · May 26, 2012

I asked for a Littman Lightweight for Christmas halfway through nursing school. A year on the floor and it still works great for what I need it for. Maybe if they hire me into ICU I will spring for one of these fancy pants Littman Classic or Master ones :)

bahuber5477 · May 30, 2012

I just graduated from nursing school and I have a MDF stethescope and really like it. I hear better out of it than my littman

lillysa1919 · Jun 4, 2012

I have a Prestige Medical Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope I got when I was doing CNA classes back in 2001 or 2002. It was what was offered through the company that came to my high school and fitted us for scrubs. To this day I still love it!!! I may be the only nurse to say this but I do not like littman at all. My coworker has one and I have tried to use it and don't like the fit or the weight. I just got another job and am thinking about getting a new stethoscope and although I am looking at different types, I will prob end up going with the same kind.

Hope this helps and good luck!!

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

once again i will stand by my littman cardiology iii it lives to its expectations...just saying :cool:

scrubwearer · Jun 4, 2012

I was told when I started nursing school that you could get away with a cheap stethoscope but then was reminded that buying a good one was better, not only to hear what you need to hear, but also because you'll use it once you graduate. I got the mid priced Littman and still use it 3 years later.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jun 4, 2012

once again i will stand by my littman cardiology iii it lives to its expectations...just saying

double ditto on that one. maybe a cheaper stethoscope is ok once you know what your looking for but when it comes down to it how often are you going to use your stethoscope and how long for when it comes down to cost per use a nice stethescope costs virtually nothing. besides a littman classic or one of the comparable brands is only $80 or maybe $125-150 for a cardio version. i know textbooks cost that much and you won't refer to them again as much as you think you will. rent the texts buy the steth.

i also don't buy the it might get stolen or lost. if i saved my steth from the serial steth stealer at my school you can too.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

if i saved my steth from the serial steth stealer at my school you can too.

that serial steth stealer gets around.........aloha~

ahnmuhree · Jul 12, 2012

I have worked with absolute wonderful nurses let me first say. Second, she posted in a "nursing student" section so I don't think theres anything wrong with students offering their advice on what worked or works for them. Whatever-very mature-just because someone has a differing opinion.

Ay yi yi- looked up this thread to help me with my decision as well.

I guess I'll be another 'silly looking' student and go with the Littmann Classic.