What Stethoscope do I purchase for nursing school?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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To all you NS veterans, what is a good stethoscope to purchase that is not high end, not low end, but will do all the things I will need it to do for nursing school? There is such a wide range out there of brands and costs that I am unsure as to what to get! Thanks in advance!

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I've starting an ABSN program this fall, and the students from the current class have been telling us to get the Littmann Classic II SE, which is about $70. If you get it from http://www.medisave.net/3m-littmann-stethoscope-c-21.html they will engrave for free. I've been told this is a good idea, as they tend to "disappear" during clinicals. I think $70 is mid-range, but I'm not positive about this...

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I am also starting a RN program next month and researched stethoscopes for a couple of weeks before i made my purchases. Visit allheart.com, they have great prices on all things you may need. I went to the uniform store that we were required to purchase our uniforms at and requested to try a couple of types of stethoscopes out. Of course the lady said most all students opt for the lower priced option for school, but she pointed out you get what you pay for :) I purchased a standard Prestige Sprague stethoscope ( in a cool color and accessories) from allheart.com for around 10 dollars, it was 25 at the uniform store. THis will be my back up stethoscope. Then, after asking many nurses their opinions, I decided that it would be worth it to purchase a Littman, which apparently is like the cadillac of stethoscopes. NOw theses ones will cost you a pretty penny :) My nurse at my physical had an interested looking one, and she said it was the best one she ever worked with ( FYI she is an older lady who has been a nurse for almost 20 years). she had the Littman Lightweight II S.E, which has a tear shaped dual head bell. I purchased this on allheart.com for $40, and it is $98 in the uniform store.

So I would definatly tell you to check out the site and browse their hundreds of stethoscopes. They have the best price on Littmans I have found and fast shipping.

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I have purchased things from allheart.com and I really like it. But I purchased my Littman Classic II (All Black Edition) from Redding Medical (www.reddingmedical.com) for $75. I also had mine engraved with my initials on the head so it didn't decide to grow legs and walk away! I'm starting this fall too, good luck to you!!

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I purchased the Littman Classic II S.E. I think it was around $80 at the uniform shop. It costs less online, but then you have to pay for shipping too... so it works out about the same. I'll be starting classes in the fall as well.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
I've starting an ABSN program this fall, and the students from the current class have been telling us to get the Littmann Classic II SE, which is about $70. If you get it from http://www.medisave.net/3m-littmann-stethoscope-c-21.html they will engrave for free. I've been told this is a good idea, as they tend to "disappear" during clinicals. I think $70 is mid-range, but I'm not positive about this...

That's the one I got...seems like a good basic one.

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Thanks all!!! That one seems to be the popular one (litmann II SE). I think I'll go for that one. I start NS end of September, but am trying to purchase things I will need as I can financially instead of waiting until last minute when all things combined are very expensive!! Thanks again....

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You might want to check EBay as well. I got a brand new Littmann Classic II SE on there for $60 including shipping.

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I've starting an ABSN program this fall, and the students from the current class have been telling us to get the Littmann Classic II SE, which is about $70. If you get it from http://www.medisave.net/3m-littmann-stethoscope-c-21.html they will engrave for free. I've been told this is a good idea, as they tend to "disappear" during clinicals. I think $70 is mid-range, but I'm not positive about this...

I purchased mine from the same place, and had mine engraved. Great price and great scope!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.
To all you NS veterans, what is a good stethoscope to purchase that is not high end, not low end, but will do all the things I will need it to do for nursing school? There is such a wide range out there of brands and costs that I am unsure as to what to get! Thanks in advance!

Same advice as everybody else, go with a Littman Classic 2. Stay away from the cheapies that cost less than 20 bucks, you don't need the poor performance of a scope to hinder what you have to hear. I got mine at Amazon along with a cuff for a decent price as a package deal.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing Stethoscope forum

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I got the classic 2 E from Standris along with a lil pocket carrier with surg scissors and a penlight for $86...I know you can get the steth cheaper than that if you want to shop, but my suspicion is always that the lower the price the less reputable the supplier; a variation of "you get what you pay for".

That said, I am sure you could pay less than I did and be very happy with your purchase.

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