Any stethoscope recommendations???

[johnnyarei]

I am starting nursing school in May. As a new student, I have to purchase a stethoscope. I would like to get the Littmann Master Cardiology. But, I've been told that stethoscopes often "grow legs." So, I was thinking about getting the Littmann Classic II S.E. Hopefully, I'll get the master cardiology for a graduation present :) What type of stethoscope does everyone have? Do you have any recommendations?

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Littmann for me. I've had a wide variety of ones available from cheapy cheap to semi-expensive. For me, Littmann takes the cake.

[IndianaRN2011]

I recently purchased a Littmann Classic II SE stethoscope (rainbow version/carribean blue) and I can hear very well with it. It is also much lighter than the Adscope 601 that I used during clinicals. For my recent purchase, I used Steeles.com -- competitive pricing and exellent customer service.

[johnnyarei]

IndianaRN2011 - I was looking at that same model yesterday on-line. I was thinking about getting it, but I read that it is one of the more "popular" color choices. I don't want my stethoscope confused with anyone else's.

Are there any stethoscope colors that are more common than the others? I was thinking that a black stethoscope is probably a no-no.

[monica124]

I would not recommend you to buy a single head stethoscope, some programs don't allow their use. I have a Littmann Classic II S.E., a Littmann Lightweight II S.E, and a Littmann Select. There is no significant difference between any of them, it is just a matter of preference, and what you are allowed to use as a student. Allheart.com has a very good selection on stethoscopes and scrubs as well.

[johnnyarei]

I also saw a yellowish-orange Littmann II S.E. I was thinking that the color alone would make it stand out.

[IndianaRN2011]

Actually, the rainbow color is a specialty stethoscope (the cost is a few dollars more) and is fairly new on the market (based on my understanding). I wouldn't think there would be a lot of nurses with this color, unless they recently ordered one. I live in the Midwest, and Steeles.com is in Michigan, so I placed an order on Sunday, it was shipped on Monday, and I received it via UPS on Tuesday. Good luck with your decision.

[johnnyarei]

Thank you! At this time that's the one I'm leaning more toward. Plus, I will get my name engraved on it as well.

[heather13]

I love my Littman Master Cardiology! I got mine for a Christmas present after my first semester and it made a big difference in what I was able to hear and identify. Being a student it was helpful to have the "higher caliber" stethoscope. It does have the single head, but it is a clear difference when you are applying different pressures for high pitch and low pitched. I also got my initials engraved so mine doesn't walk away.

[sarahlee23, LPN]

When my sister started her nursing program she got a Littman Master Cardiology and loved it. When I started my nursing program I got a Master Cardiology as well because my sister's stethoscope was the first one that I had used that I could hear well enough with to get a blood pressure on the first try. I had to borrow a classmate's stethoscope a few times during school, and I never could hear anything as well as I could with the Master Cardiology.

[frankie,RN]

first double check w/your school. some schools require/recommend certain types of stethoscopes. i own a littman master cardiologyIII. love it. in nursing school, i "lost" 3stethoscopes. nursing school is expensive enough without having to replace an expensive stethoscope. congrats on getting into nsg school and good luck to you.:)

[Emergency RN]

This whole thread sort of reminds me of how audiophiles choose stereo systems. Some only want to have "the best" that money can buy because only then, would they be able to distinguish the high quality of the music that they listen to. Frankly, I'm of the portable AM radio crowd; as long as I hear something, I'm happy.

In the busy ED that I work, the environment is often so noisy that I would be hard pressed to tell the subtle nuances which very high quality scopes are known for. So using a "master" cardiology, while filled with panache, is probably overkill unless one is really within an arena that not only needs it, but where one can fully utilize and clinically appreciate those subtle differences. Thus aside from the invitation for theft (that all high priced scopes bring), the cost of one spectacular scope can likely pay for several 'average' ones; one for the locker, one for the backpack, one for the car, or whatever; all extra back ups in case you really need a scope or for when you eventually lose one.

[DanielFletcher]

If you are just starting go for a cheap stethoscope, you will probably change it down the road to a better one once you gain more experience and when your needs change.