Nurses sound off! Steth belt clip or around the neck?

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How do you carry your stethoscope?

Do you keep it around your neck, tucked in your pocket or do you have the belt clip?

Do you even keep it with you?

Or do you use the (shudder) public, staff use steths?

Also, what kind do you have and what color?

I have a Littmann Cardiology III in Plum. (Thank god it was a dark plum.)

Specializes in LT, skilled, IV, pediatrics.

I carry mine around my neck when I'm doing assessments, then it goes on top of my treatment cart in my nursing bag. I have a little zip bag that has my BP cuff, O2 finger sat, drug book, light, extra pens, highlighter, sharpie, etc. I can grab that or send one of my aides after it if I need it in a hurry.

Mine is a Lithman Cardiology III in purple. My BP Cuff is also purple. Love purple!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I had a doc doing rounds last week with a Hunter orange steth, guess he had lost a few,lol.:lol2:

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

I have a Littman Cardiology scope, and I used to carry mine around my neck. I noticed it was not hanging straight when I hung it up after work. I started carrying it over my rt shoulder, and it took care of that problem. I have carried it like that for the last 6 yrs or so, and I haven't had it fly off or slip, it's comfortable like that.

Anne, RNC

Kind of a different note, I remember many of the nsg students would keep theirs in their car around the rear view mirrors, and more than just a few had gotten theirs damaged, by the sun, maybe? I have an inexpensive scope in my first aid kit in my car along with a BP cuff.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
:eek:

Is he, um, compensating for something?

My thought, exactly, Moogie - I bet he would look kind of silly, with it swinging to his knees!!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in ER.

I have a Littmann Classic II SE in Black...I ususally keep it around my neck, but sometimes it balances(quite perfectly) on my right shoulder.

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Wearing the stethoscope around the neck represents for some insecure individuals a status symbol or badge of honor. According to several recent studies they are carriers of a multitude of germs and are a source of cross contamination on the units. With that said, they should not be carried around the neck but on a belt clip or pocket and cleaned in between patients. You wash your hands and clean your stethoscope, simple as that . Another reason to not carry one around your neck is security; some patients will be confused and or combative and they can reach for the stethoscope and pull you and potentially harm you.

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I am so glad you mentioned that. I have a hand me down, excellent stethoscope which is great except I have to manually straighten it out before I use it. It is very stiff. After I find my first job (proving more difficult than I had thought), I will probably buy a new one.

P.s. mine is a dusty pale pink.

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Specializes in geriatric, pediatric trach/vent, LTAC.

I put my stethoscope around my neck some days and others I use my belt clip. I have Arnold-Chiari Malformation and when my head and neck are hurting too much, even my lightweight Littman Master Classic II is too much pressure to have on my neck, though I prefer my stethoscope around my neck. Just habit. Some of the residents I work with have a habit of coming by and sticking their hands in people's pockets, so nothing but a pen goes into my scrub top pockets. For whatever reason I've never had anyone try to reach into my pants pockets, so I take advantage of my cargo pants.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I wear it around my neck. I keep my hair pulled back.

Mine is the Littman Classic SE in teal. Might get a pedi one next......depends on where I get hired (if I get hired I should say!)

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My stethoscope is PINK--the docs don't steal pink stethoscopes ;)

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
I have a Littmann Classic II SE in Black...I ususally keep it around my neck, but sometimes it balances(quite perfectly) on my right shoulder.

Yes, mine feels more comfortable there on my shoulder than around my neck.

Anne, RNC

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I have a Littmann Classic II SE in breast cancer awareness pink! I LOVE it! I havent ran into anyone with the same one yet :) a lot of girls in my class have the same kind but in black or dark purple, I think the pink is very lovely and fun and supports breast cancer all at the same time! I also have a matching navy blood pressure cuff that has the pink breast cancer ribbon embroidered on it!

I used to carry it on my neck but it got annoying and I realized how UNSANITARY it was.. ick! now its in my pocket :nurse:

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