what's a good stethoscope for nursing school?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2008

My Littman "grew legs" twice at clinicals this past week!! Neither time was it done on purpose but still :madface:

The first time was when the resp tech was suctioning a pt, she asked to borrow my 'scope since she had left hers on the cart. I was happly to let her borrow it. In the meantime, my instructor grabbed me and dragged me (literally) into another pts room to see a procedure. I totally forgot about my Littman. When I went to check LS on my pt, I went to grab my stethoscope from around my neck and it was gone. I thought about it and realized I hadn't gotten it back from the resp lady. I hunted her down like a dog and asked nicely for my stethoscope back. She reached into her pocket and gave it back.

The second time was a doc doing his rounds. I was in the room and he asked to use my stethoscope, and again, I handed it over. Again, in comes my CI, asks me to help a fellow student and off I go.

2 hrs later I realized I didn't have my stethoscope, hunted down that doc hoping he was still in the facility (he was) and marched up and asked for my stethoscope back. He replied that he had given it to me earlier and that the scope around his neck was his.. :madface: , I said "well ok "MaryJane" (my name is on the scope) "I really like your tinkerbell ID tag on that stethescope! I'd love to get one can you tell me where you found it??" He took the scope off his neck and realized, that yes, that one was mine! He apologized and gave it back. Good thing, because i wouldn't want to have to beat down an eldery doc to get my stethescope back :devil: Next one I get will be something that isn't as common. My current Littman is the generic black tubing. next time it will be some really obnoxious color AND I'm getting my name engraved on it!!

Moral to the story....get your name on your stethoscope!!

juniataemt06 · Jan 30, 2008

I currently own a Littmann Master Classic II black edition which has served we well for about 5 years working part time as an EMT. . .

I'm going to nursing school this fall and have been debating between getting a Master Cardiology and a Cardiology III. Which is better for school? I know the Cardio III has the double bell for peds. The 3M website rates the Master Cardio better in quality but which would be better for school/clinicals?

Thanks for the help,

-Brent

Faith213 · Mar 10, 2008

Thanks guys I end up buying a Cardio III from allhearts.com
:monkeydance:

I am starting nursing school in the fall and my mom ordered a Littman Master Cardiology one from allhearts.com for my hs graduation present. I can't wait to get it in. :heartbeat

Anubis · Aug 31, 2008

I just ordered a Littmann Lightweight II S.E. from Steeles.com. They are on sale for $38.99. It's on the low-end of the Littmann series, but it's still a Littmann, so of course it's still of high quality. They have a choice of six colors (I picked burgundy) and I'm having my name engraved on it. It's billed as a good entry-level scope and has a no-chill rim. This same scope on Stethoscopes.com runs $48.

They (Steeles) also have specials for students who purchase from the Cardiology series for a free accessory kit directly from 3M. I did have to call their customer service to ask a question about the engraving, but I was treated very courteously and got my question answered fast. I really liked the way I was treated and I'd recommend checking them out, definitely.

www.steeles.com

NYNPMAN · Sep 3, 2008

i have a cardiology iii, which is touted as one of the best($180). i wanted the newer master cardiology($160)but i found a chinese made clone for about $30 on their site and an ebay site...i got it in about 2 days and it is fantastic. i brought it to my cardiology unit at work and 2 more nurses got the website and ordered them too. the acoustics are amazing-you hear everything. this is the link:

kila labs stethoscopes world's finest stethoscope

SuperStudentNurse · Sep 7, 2008

i need a double bell steth for nursing school and from the thread i see that is either a littmann classic II or cardio III. i think i will go with the cardio III since i've read better reviews abt it. any other options for double bell steths? and can someone confirm that the master classic II and master cardiology indeed are NOT double bell? thanks!!

texkid, RN · Sep 8, 2008

Note: I finally register to the forum so I could post on this topic.

As a RN assistant, I used the Lightweight. I start nursing school and I get a hand-me-down Cardio III. MAN....let me say that it was like going from Dolby surround to 7.1 DTS!

NYNPMAN · Sep 8, 2008

The Master Cardiology is defintiely not a Double bell. It uses a compressable single bell which reproduces the smaller bell when it is pressed with a little more force against the skin. The double bell I have found in emergency situations presents a problem by always being in the wrong position and at time you have only one hand to use.

Anubis · Sep 10, 2008

MAN....let me say that it was like going from Dolby surround to 7.1 DTS!

For those of us who are not familiar with advanced sound technology, I take it this is a good thing? LOL

SnMrsSmiley · Sep 26, 2011

what is everyone using now (3 years since any posts on this thread lol

texkid, RN · Sep 26, 2011

what is everyone using now (3 years since any posts on this thread lol

I know switched to a Welch Allyn DLX triple-head stethoscope. It is an awesome scope. I even hear sounds Docs can't, they dismiss me, I hand them my scope so they can hear it, and then they walk away questioning their scope.

Josiah28 · Nov 1, 2011

Don't buy the all heart stethoscope, they sold me a unit that the heart sounds are so faint, I couldnt even use it. The company will not make this situation might. I believe the company has a new owner, vs prior Jamie mcgrew/gwilem mcgrew. The former owners would have bent over backwards to keep from losing a customer. I bought the allheart cardiology stethoscope and even paid to put my name on it. What a waste of money.