Do I need to have my own steth at work?

[machaix]

Hi!

Just wanted to know if nurses in Australia bring/ use their own stethoscopes at work?

Thanks :)

[Happy Wombat]

You don't have to as there is often (if not always) 1 in the nursing station or near the manual BP machine.

However, it is always good to have 1 with you, as a personal 1 will allow you to use it whenever you want and in 100% working order. (Not to mention you won't know when is the last time the work stethoscope was cleaned.)

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

It often depends on the culture of your ward. The ones that are available on my ward are horrible cheap things.

I use mine everyday I work in post op ward in general surgery. Listening to chests is important for me it sneaks some deep breathing for the pt, I can monitor chests. I often have upper gi surgery pts operations with either a thoracic approach or at least deflate one lung to fain access.

Also bowel surgery pt is essential for return of bowel sounds.

[machaix]

It often depends on the culture of your ward. The ones that are available on my ward are horrible cheap things.

I use mine everyday I work in post op ward in general surgery. Listening to chests is important for me it sneaks some deep breathing for the pt, I can monitor chests. I often have upper gi surgery pts operations with either a thoracic approach or at least deflate one lung to fain access.

Also bowel surgery pt is essential for return of bowel sounds.

Thanks for your responses, guys! :)

May I know the brand of steth you own? :)

[thenightnurse456]

I agree, it's definitely cultural.

I don't accept that it's "the doctors job" to auscultate in Australian wards.