looking into buying a new stethoscope

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I'm currently a senior in nursing school with another 5-week clinical rotation over the summer and a full semester away from graduating! I have a Littmann Classic II S.E. which I love, but once I graduate I am thinking of buying a new stethoscope. I have been eying either the Cardiology III or Master Classic II. I know the Cardiology III has slightly better acoustics compared to the Master Classic II (9 vs. 8) but I wonder which one is really better. I also have an issue with hearing "my fingers" when I am auscultating BP's/heart/lung/bowel sounds, etc. Would I have that problem with the Master Classic II?

I am VERY interested in critical care nursing if that helps, but of course I'll probably have to spend a year or two on a med-surg unit as a new grad before I can work in an ICU.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

I have used both, and personally like the Card 3 over the master classic. Mostly due to appearance, but its all in the eye of the beholder. Either would do just fine as long as you can hear lung sounds, heart sounds and bowel sounds with ease. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

I have both a Classic II S.E. and a Master Classic II (the latter I picked up on eBay for a ridiculously low price, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten it). Personally, I cannot hear a difference between those two stethoscopes. The MC II is nice being a single-head (for convenience sake). But if it were me, of those two you mentioned, I would get the Cardio III - it has the bell that converts to a peds diaphragm too, which would be handy. Again, I just don't hear a difference in acoustics between the Classic II S.E. and the MC II.

Hope that helps you!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I decided to buy the cardio III - in plum! can't wait to use it! :yeah:

and the bell that converts to a peds diaphragm will be very useful since I am doing my peds rotation in the fall...though I heard you don't really do anything but if I ever do an assessment on a pediatric patient, that will help. Thank you for the suggestions!!

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

Cool! Make sure you hang on to it during your clinicals! I think you made a good choice!

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