how important is the quality of your tools during nursing school?

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Specializes in Telemetry.

hi everyone!

does it matter if you go to nursing school equipped with average quality tools (i.e., steth, sphyg, etc)? i am lucky enough to be sent to nursing school with tuition and books paid for, so i figured i should invest in high quality (read: expensive) instruments as oppose to just buying the cheap brand (i do admit, i'm a bit brand-conscious when it comes to my gadgets :chuckle).

thanks for your replies!

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Specializes in HOSPICE.

regular equipment does me just fine...save when and where you can!:p

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Specializes in L&D, OB Triage.

me too...i got a mid-grade steth simply because i sometimes have trouble hearing and they gave us the sphyg.........

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Specializes in Telemetry.

thanks for your replies, trisha and premed! i didn't skimp on the steth because i am hard of hearing, too. but i'm shopping around for sphygs right now and the love for shiny and nice instruments never fails to get me. :redbeathe

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I know where you're coming from; as I wanted to get the best gadgets as well. I actually bought two scopes, the Littmann Classic II and the Littmann Soft Touch Cardiology. I had purchased the STC first, then found out we needed one with a distinct bell and diaphragm side....so I ordered the Classic II also. I also got a PDA with the PEPID software. My watch and other accessories (including my scopes!) came from allheart.com. Everything I bought was high quality and at a fair price.

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We were told NOT to buy an expensive steth, because they tend to "walk off" during clinicals. So I assume that would go for all gear.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Whatever blows your skirt up. If you want expensive, and can afford it...knock yourself out.

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all you need in nursing school that is high quality is your attitude, determination, and study time. i bought a littman stethoscope II SE for 65 bucks at allheart.com, and my sphyg was 8 bucks from same website: both are great.

i wish i would have waited to buy EVERY single book on the book list, and EVERY single study guide, because i didn't have the time to use half of the extra materials, and i found that putting things in my own words worked better than using other books anyway.

i know it's easy to get carried away when you're about to start school, but after one semester in an accelerated program, i can tell you that i didn't need half of that expensive crap i bought, and i wish now i just had the money. :-D hahahaha hope that helps!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
We were told NOT to buy an expensive steth, because they tend to "walk off" during clinicals. So I assume that would go for all gear.

I thought of this too. I actually got mine engraved with my name on the front to lessen the chance of this happening. Also, I bought a hip clip so I'll never need to put it down and risk someone snatching it!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I just figured that if I start investing in quality instruments now, I won't have to buy new stuff later on. Like the steth I got works great for both adults and peds. That way I won't be stuck with just one.

Re steths that walk off, I had mine engraved with my name too! :D

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