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!!!
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.
Mine was right at $89.00 and I got a 20% discount. It is SO very worth it!! I know that people say to not spend big bucks on supplies right at first, but, I would rather get a good one and learn correctly, then get a cheapie and not be able to hear as well. I have known how to take BP for many years now, and like I said, never had problems with my basic Sprague, but I wanted a good one for school, and now I have one with a Littmann!!! LOL!!
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 love my nursemates and my crocs. have to agree w/ you on the littman--it is wonderful! :) gl!
I agree that it's so worth getting a nice steth from the beginning. At the beginning, I had the school's cheapie and I was having trouble. My husband surprised me with an ultrascope and what a difference!
I am done with school now, and just bought different colored tubing to "dress it up" I LOVE my Ultrascope
I finally took my Littmann Classic SE II out of the box and tried it yesterday. I LOVE IT! I really debated between that one and the Littmann Cardiology III for a LONG time. I didn't want to spend twice as much for a stethoscope if I could hear just as well with the Classic, yet I didn't want to get the cheaper one and find out that I wasn't hearing enough! After looking at all the nursing school costs I was racking up, I decided to go with the Classic. I got it for about $65 from Steeles. I encourage students to not feel pressured to buy a more expensive stethoscope. Littmann Classic is the way to go!
I encourage students to not feel pressured to buy a more expensive stethoscope. Littmann Classic is the way to go!
Great reply, JarOfPennies,
You are so right! Don't let anyone pressure you into something that expensive, that you can get by without. A LOT of nurses and quite a few doctors around here use the Classic II, so I feel if it is good enough for the doc's, it is good enough for me!!
I got lucky. A friend of mine is a medic and he gave me a Littman Cardiology III, how nice was that?!! I've even tried it out on my cats...
As for the Danskos, despite all the rave reviews, I'm just not sold. I purchased a pair a couple of years ago. I wore them out of the store, walked halfway around the mall, and walked back to the store and returned them. The heel sliding out of the back thing drove me bonkers. I get blisters on my feet very easily, and I suspected the friction on my heels would not be good. My clinicals start in October so I hope to have found the perfect shoe for myself by then.
Oh yeah, good luck to my fellow new nursing students!
!
littledarlings
75 Posts
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.