Got my Stethoscope...and what a difference!

i went yesterday and got my stethoscope and looked at some shoes. can't decide between dansko's and nursemates, but the nursemates felt so much better!

anyway, i tried several different stethoscopes since i knew that the cheapies that the bookstores sell aren't the best. i tried drg, ultrascope, littmann and prestige, and the hands down winner was the

littmann classic ii!!

i could hear so much better with it, and it was so much more comfortable than the other ones. i have had the sprague that the bookstore sells, for about 8 years (my hubby actually bought it when he started having hbp) and thought that one was just fine. never had any issues with it. but, when i tried the littmann, i knew right away that there were several differences. not only was the acoustics so much better, but it was lighter and the ear pieces seem to fit much better. the sprague always hurt my ears, as it seemed like they were too tight, even after trying to spread them apart, but the littmann felt perfect! and the ear tips were so soft!!!

just thought i would add my

!

i bought my littman yesterday also:monkeydance: i love it! the price made me cringe alittle but i know it is worth every dollar! i also have a cheapie as a back up, but after trying the littman i wonder how i ever heard anything out of it.

Okay, I just got my shoes a few days ago and had the same questions as you....This is what the shoe salesman told me:

Nurse Mates are very cozy at first.....They make them for the "quick sell". You put your feet in them and they feel instantly cozy unlike the Danskos that feel hard and yucky. He said that the NM's last a year or so....and start to wear down and not feel as plushy and comfortable. The Danskos can last for years. They support your back, legs and knees. This is what sold me. I'm still not 100% happy with them because the Danskos are not "cozy" at all. I hope that I like them. The salesman actually offered me a 25% Off discount if I tried the Danskos.....so for only a $15 price difference, I had to try them!

Where did you buy your Danskos?

I got them at a little scrub shop in town. :)

gotta, i'm with you on the dansko shoes. i have a pair that i bought for a barista job i had at a coffee house a few years ago and i didn't find them comfortable at all. heck, they still look brand new. maybe i need to try them out again, but i'm not a fan of them.

i'm a huge fan of ecco or brooks shoes. very comfy and last a long time. ecco do look like old lady shoes though (wait, maybe i am kind of an old lady though, haha).

I do know that everyone says that you have to wear the Dansko's to "break them in," and that they do last for years, but what about those ones who do that and still don't like them? That is what I am afraid of, because at the scrub store here, once you walk out of the store with them and wear them, regardless of how long, they will not take them back. I mean, they did feel comfortable, once I got the right size, of course (the size I normally wear was a little tight, and my heel didn't slip up and down quite as much as they needed, so I went up a half size and they were much better.) But, they are just so much heavier than the Nurse Mates. So, what to do, what to do?!?

I do know that I went in with all intensions of getting the Dansko's. So maybe I need to just stick with that plan?! I know though, that I won't be as lucky as you, Gotta, and get a 25% discount. I am getting a 20%, as all students do, but...!!!

i bought my littman yesterday also:monkeydance: i love it! the price made me cringe alittle but i know it is worth every dollar! i also have a cheapie as a back up, but after trying the littman i wonder how i ever heard anything out of it.

i am with you, midestiny!! it is amazing, the difference there is, between the steths! i don't know if it is my old age that is making the difference, but i have never had any problems hearing with my cheapie. but after trying out the littmann, i have to wonder how i ever heard anything before!!!

glad you got yours and good luck with school~

Yes, I bought my Litmann Classic II yesterday and it is sooo clear:lol2:. But it was a little pricey, but I think it is worth it. As for shoes, I almost forgot, I'm glad I read this thread and you guys reminded me.

I got the Littmann Master Classic II and I think I spend somewhere in the $70's? I ordered it from allheart.com

Hello All,

I just want to thank everyone for giving their input from shoes, stethoscopes, PDA's nursing student tips etc. This valuable information is so very priceless. Thanks again it has made my life much simplier.