I am getting mixed messages on Stets!!! I need Help!!!!

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Ok. Why am I being told not to waste my money on a Littman Cardio III? I e-mailed my NS today and I was told to just get a Littman Classic SE because I would not benefit from a more expansive model. He told me that the cardio model was for a cardiologist and I would not be listening for much heart sounds as a nurse. He told me to look at it as: Would I use a jackhammer when all I need is a screwdriver? Im really confused now. I was ready to buy my stets today but now I dont know anymore. Can someone shine some light on this for me? Thank You

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Specializes in ER CCU MICU SICU LTC/SNF.

If in the future you'll need to break apart a concrete patio, that screwdriver won't be any good either. 'just watch this guy ---> :banghead:

If price is not a factor, go for the III. It has more benefits, see here ...

http://www.3m.com/intl/za/specifications_exit.html

> click on "View Product List" in bottom

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Ok. Why am I being told not to waste my money on a Littman Cardio III? I e-mailed my NS today and I was told to just get a Littman Classic SE because I would not benefit from a more expansive model. He told me that the cardio model was for a cardiologist and I would not be listening for much heart sounds as a nurse. He told me to look at it as: Would I use a jackhammer when all I need is a screwdriver? Im really confused now. I was ready to buy my stets today but now I dont know anymore. Can someone shine some light on this for me? Thank You

Hey, Nathalie,

It that is what you want, get it. I find that the nurses ears need that special scope. Do not listen to the ones who say you will not listen for "those" heart sounds. Nope, untrue......

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I agree... if it's what you want... get it! Esp if you think cardiac, respiratory, critical care is for you? I'm sorry that the nursing school rep has such a low opinion on nursing skills. Just last night I noticed abnormal heart sounds that had been unnoticed before. Think of this- a doctor rounds once a day, maybe a med student and a resident also round, so maybe the heart and lung sounds are assessed by "medical ears" three times a day (Ha! Subtract that if the admitting doctor is a urologist, GI surgeon, etc and do we really count the med student/PA student?) Very often only once daily, briefly. Meanwhile the pt is often assessed by "nursing ears" twice a shift or at least three times daily- regardless of 8 or 12 hr shifts. My observation is that the RN also listens a little longer and a little more thoroughly, esp to lungs, another area where a good Littmann excells. So...Who's getting the most out of that high quality scope??

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Thank you soooooooooooo much guys.....It really helped me. Now I know what I have to buy!!!! :D

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GRX medical has a cardiology steth that's identical to the littman cardio 3 and half the price....it's a great stethoscope, check it out...grxmedical.com. I love mine - FYI I'm an LVN working on a cardiac floor and part of my assessment every shift is to document heart sounds! It's the same assessment that's found on every floor in the hospital...you could get yourself in a lot of trouble if you didn't listen to heart sounds and missed a murmur! That guys' crazy!

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