Best stethoscope for an ER Nurse?

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2018

Something you don't mind getting bodily fluids on, getting stolen, or getting lost.

DayDreamin ER CRNP · Jun 2, 2018

I would get one you don't mind having stolen or misplaced during school. You can upgrade based on what you need / want later.

Honestly, the expensive s'scopes are nice but I can hear just was well with my old Littmann SE II or whatever the heck it is.

verbalsjint · Jun 2, 2018

Something you don't mind getting bodily fluids on, getting stolen, or getting lost.

I would get one you don't mind having stolen or misplaced during school. You can upgrade based on what you need / want later.
Honestly, the expensive s'scopes are nice but I can hear just was well with my old Littmann SE II or whatever the heck it is.

Thanks for the heads up! I do plan on engraving my steth and I'm pretty good at keeping track of my belongings (my class is only 30 students so thats also a bonus). I guess my question was more towards what stethoscope do you guys think is best for ER use? Or does it not matter?

DayDreamin ER CRNP · Jun 2, 2018

Thanks for the heads up! I do plan on engraving my steth and I'm pretty good at keeping track of my belongings (my class is only 30 students so thats also a bonus). I guess my question was more towards what stethoscope do you guys think is best for ER use? Or does it not matter?

It appears you want us to validate you in getting a fancy Card 5000. If that is what you want, get it. I personally don't think you need it. We ALL say we keep up with our things but it just takes one co-worker borrowing your scope for it to walk away. You can't wear it around your neck all day every day and there is always a chance you will leave it in a patient's room, the bathroom or break room. It happens. As soon as you say, "It will never happen....," it will happen. No amount of engraving or tagging the s'scope will guarantee its safe return.

I successfully used my $100 s'scope for over ten years in the ER until an MD borrowed it and bent it in half and broke the tubing. You think he offered to replace it? I replaced it with a Classic III and it is serving me very well now. I know plenty of RNs that have been using $50 s'scopes for years with no complaints. Really, there is no ONE best s'scope for any job with the exception of a NICU/peds nurse.

I always suggest a student get a very basic s'scope until you know for sure where you will land in your career and how you hear best.

verbalsjint · Jun 2, 2018

It appears you want us to validate you in getting a fancy Card 5000.

?????? I'm literally only asking for what steth YOU as an ER Nurse use.

I replaced it with a Classic III and it is serving me very well now.

Bingo! This is what I'm looking for. But wait... Classic III? So a fancy Card 5000??? Hmm...

On another note, thank you for the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind!

DowntheRiver · Jun 2, 2018

I had the Classic II during nursing school which served me well and then when I graduated I upgraded to the Cardiology III and had DowntheRiver, RN engraved on the head.

DayDreamin ER CRNP · Jun 2, 2018

I realize I was a bit snarky last night. Long, long shift and came home angry.

Anyway.... I strongly suggest you walk before you run w any tool or equipment. It is like buying a super expensive set of golf clubs before you bet hit the green. You have no idea how you hear yet or even what your listening for. Build your listening skills before you buy that expensive scope. Plus, you really don't need it. You can hear rubs, murmurs and just about anything else you need to hear w a $50 scope. Even as an NP I don't really *need* anything fancy. I can get everything I need out of my III. Also, weight is a factor for me. Those big scopes can be heavy around your neck. I am constantly having to take my scope off to do tasks. Let that bell hit you in the face just one time...you'll see.

Plus, a good scope is an excellent gift your parents or someone can get you after you graduate. My daughter bought me one when I graduated. She was 8 and picked it out all by herself. Asked her dad to take her to get it and he said she even tried to pay for it w her birthday money.

Even tho it was broken, I still have that thing. Now isn't that a pretty sweet memory of my first "real" stethoscope? I would not have had that if I had gone out and pitched a super fancy one right out of the chute.

The Littmann Classic II is a great little scope and will serve you very well thru school and beyond.

allnurses Guide · Jun 2, 2018

My husband gave me a Littman Card II when I graduated from nursing school. I had been an EMT before so I shortened the tubing so I could hear better. I also had it engraved. One day I could not find it and as I was walking out of the hospital I noticed it hanging around a Dr's neck. This Dr was known to be particularly rude, so I approached her and said "Excuse me but I think you have my stethoscope." She smartly replied, "Does it have your name on it?" Well let's look and see" I said. Sure enough it had my name on it and the Dr was just a bit embarrassed but did ask where I got it because she liked the short tubing. I told her I had cut it myself.

Hppy

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 2, 2018

Just about any stethoscope that is comparable to a Littmann Classic II SE will be an excellent stethoscope for you to use both in school and afterward as you begin your career. These run around $60-80 (depending upon outlet) and they're good enough that you will be able to easily hear what you need to listen for, expensive enough for you to keep an eye on it so that it doesn't walk away and cheap enough that you can replace it without too much pain if it does.

I used a Classic II SE for years when I first started doing patient care. After a couple years I upgraded to a Cardiology III and it has served me well for the past 15 years or so and it saw me through nursing school and still serves me now. I am NOT suggesting you buy a Cardiology III or IV. Having that good of a stethoscope without also having a trained ear is not going to do you any favors. In some ways, having a decent but not great stethoscope is about perfect because the stethoscope will naturally filter out some of the noise. That can make it actually easier to hear the basics. Once you know what you need to hear, then having a great steth is awesome but you can still easily get by with a $4 cheapo stetho that you throw away at the end of your shift.

Seriously, it's operator, not the equipment... Take the time to really learn what you need to listen for. Then steth choice won't be an issue.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jun 2, 2018

My hubby got me a fancy one almost three years ago but now I usually use a cheapo one and hear fine. It's the cardiology III and honestly it is very heavy around my neck and in my pocket. I can hear the clicks and the S3s just fine with the cheap one that costs a fraction of my fancy one. I second the other poster who says it will probably go missing or get body fluids all over it. Especially in the ED, where equipment is at a premium (really it's that way on my floor too).

verbalsjint · Jun 2, 2018

Thanks so much you guys!!! This was extremely helpful. I'm now planning to get the Littmann Lightweight II SE (runs about 50 dollars) or Classic II SE and will upgrade if needed after grad :)

Seriously, it's operator, not the equipment... Take the time to really learn what you need to listen for. Then steth choice won't be an issue.

Thank you akulahawkRN, this was very beneficial to hear. I've always thought you can hear different specific sounds on certain models... I have a lot to learn Thanks again, I appreciate it!! :up: