I'm in the market for a stethoscope

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I'm currently working as a tech and will be starting nursing school (RN) next year. I was going to wait to purchase my first stethoscope until I started school, but there are too many instances where I need to conduct a manual BP at work and I have to hunt down someone with a higher quality stethoscope because I can't hear on those $5 plastic ones we have laying around.

My only main requirement is that it'll fit in my ears. I have really small ears and I have yet to find earbud headphones that work for me - even when I switch to the size small. The main reason I have problems hearing on a stethoscope is because the earpieces don't fit into my ears correctly. I'm wanting to buy something fairly nice, but my maximum is probably $150 or so. My mom is going to buy it through her work so it will be discounted.

I currently work on a med/surg floor (surgical primary, oncology, medical secondary). I eventually plan to work in acute care (trauma, ICU, ED, etc).

I've heard good things about the Littmann Cardiology III and Master Cardiology, but I really have no idea. I just figured if I bought a high quality stethoscope, it might make it easier to hear sounds without it fitting well into my ears. Any suggestions for a nice stethoscope that will work for my job as a tech, in nursing school, and as an RN would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone knows where to get XXXS earpieces, that'd be much appreciated!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have the Littman classic se 2 I think it is and it works really well and has soft ear buds that fit nicely and they are interchangeable if you needed to buy separate ones.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing stethoscope forum

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Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm down to the Littmann Classic II SE and the Littmann Cardiology III. I read that the Masters aren't good to get for a nursing student because you need to be able to flip it over for peds rotations and such.

I plan to use this stethoscope all during nursing school and into my early career as a nurse, ideally in an acute care setting (ED, ICU, etc).

I want to make sure I will be able to hear clear crisp sounds without overspending.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

I like my Cardiology III. I have a hard time hearing on a stethoscope with just one tube/sound path. The cardiology stethoscope has a "two tubes in one" design. I can actually hear with it. http://www.allheart.com/mdf797dd.html This brand is an affordable alternative to Littman and their scope was actually clearer to me than my Littman.

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I was able to go to a different floor and try out both a Classic II and Cardiology III tonight. I was AMAZED how how much louder and clearer the Cardiology III was, so I'm definitely going with that one.

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Always loved my cardiology III as well!

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

GREAT CHOICE!

I got my first Littman Cardiology III in 1987, great scope and just replaced it in 2008 because the tubing cracked. AFTER I replaced it I found out that had I sent it back to Littman they would have replaced tubing under lifetime warranty.

You made a good choice for trauma, er, icu. Those specialties require the highest level of proficiency to pick up subtle changes early.

Good luck in nursing school.

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GREAT CHOICE!

I got my first Littman Cardiology III in 1987, great scope and just replaced it in 2008 because the tubing cracked. AFTER I replaced it I found out that had I sent it back to Littman they would have replaced tubing under lifetime warranty.

You made a good choice for trauma, er, icu. Those specialties require the highest level of proficiency to pick up subtle changes early.

Good luck in nursing school.

According to the Littmann website, the Cardiology III now only comes with a 5 yr warranty :( I wonder why it changed! But thank you - I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the stethoscope!

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Your choice of stethescope often depends upon what type of nursing you will be doing. I am currently using a very inexpensive brand which serves my purposes very well. The key really is to try a couple, and pick one that feels good to you and that you can hear well with. Don't feel like you have to bust your budget to keep up with the Jones's.

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