ER nurses - what stethoscope do you use?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

So it happened - my beloved plum Littmann Cardiology III walked away I've had that scope for 5-6 years. I didn't think it could happen since over those years I've had nurses and doctors borrow it, left it on the unit, etc but I always got it back. Not this time

So I'm wondering - what stethoscope do you use? I'm thinking of just purchasing another Cardio III but I'm also looking into the Master Cardiology.

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Some cheap thing I got from a place I worked as a paramedic like 5 years ago. Not even sure of the name.

I am not doing a detailed diagnosis of breath sounds, I want to know do they have them, are they clear or not, are they equal.

Heart, lub dub, ok, I am good.

Abdomen, gurgle gurgle, ok, move on.

Even when I was in IMU/ICU it worked for what I needed.

[sjalv]

Not an ER nurse, rather a CVICU nurse, and I use a Littmann Cardiology III. I post this despite your post's request for ER nurses because I don't see why an ER nurse would need an apparently more expensive Master Cardiology if, in my experience, a Littmann 3 is more than sufficient to detect mitral clicks, murmurs, subtle changes in bruits, etc. YMMV

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Ultrascope. Light, customized so it doesn't walk, excellent sound pickup.

[ParalyticAgent]

Littmann light- perfectly sufficient for my rapid assessment.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I bought a master cardiology so I could put my Littmann Cardiology III as a back up stethoscope but I don't like it so I may switch that around. I feel like I can't hear as well as my cardiology III. Weird. So I may switch around which one is the backup. My select II is going to my sister's house because she is in nursing school

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Cardiology III with my name engraved on it so hopefully someone will be deterred from stealing it.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Ultrascope, they are made with designer bells so no one is walking away with it, unless someone really wants a pink polka dot bell

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I third the ultra scopes. Lost 3 littmans, but hard to steal a bright purple one and it's more than sufficient for what I need to hear.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Not an ER nurse, rather a CVICU nurse, and I use a Littmann Cardiology III. I post this despite your post's request for ER nurses because I don't see why an ER nurse would need an apparently more expensive Master Cardiology if, in my experience, a Littmann 3 is more than sufficient to detect mitral clicks, murmurs, subtle changes in bruits, etc. YMMV

Well, the reason is that ER nurses (typically) see patients of all ages unless they have a separate pediatric ER. The Cardio III's bell can convert into a pedi diaphragm and the Master Cardiology I heard has a pedi adapter. I actually do not take care of a lot of kids where I work.

Thanks for your input!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I third the ultra scopes. Lost 3 littmans, but hard to steal a bright purple one and it's more than sufficient for what I need to hear.

3 Littmanns - yikes!

[Jmarty31]

Electronic!