Best stethoscope for an ER Nurse?

[verbalsjint]

Hi guys!

Although I have yet to start nursing school (starting august!), I know for sure I want to go into ER Nursing. I plan to get my stethoscope engraved and want to buy a good one to use both during and after I finish school. With that in mind, what stethoscopes do you guys use? I'm currently debating on getting the Littman Classic III and the Cardiology IV.

[Pheebz777, BSN, RN]

Unless you really need to hear heart murmurs, or better yet, identify systolic from diastolic murmurs, there is no reason to get any of the higher end expensive stethoscopes. In the ER, realistically all you would be listening to is breath sounds, whether normal or abnormal, quick verification of ETT placement and bowel sounds. (Every now and then you'll assess patency of an AV graft or abdominal aneurysm.) Even a $14 stethoscope would work. Just get something you like and feels comfortable, because no matter how careful you are, you will lose your stethoscope unless you have the will to tell others not to borrow your scope because this accounts for losing your stethoscope majority of the time.