Nursing Kits???

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I am in the process of shopping for a nursing kit because I begin my classes on the 4th of September. Needless to say...I am lost. Current and soon to be nursing students, what type did you purchase? Did you get an entire kit (spyhg, steth, pen light,pen, etc) or did you buy them separately? What brand did you purchase when it came to your stethoscope? I don't want to purchase something that is no good.

Thanks in advance :)

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I purchased a prestige medical stethoscope and spyhg before nursing school. However, my school requires each student to purchase a "backpack" with practice supplies from pocket nurse... pen light, thermometer, and a sphyg, however the spyhg was very low quality and made a lot of the students frustrated. I would suggest going with a cheaper version, my stethoscope and sphgy were 20$ each, a two tubed stethoscope. Going for a higher quality could be something you do when you graduate or have an outside job. Also, the extra money could be spent on good shoes. :)

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I got an MDF Instruments Stethoscope (59.95), it has got free parts for life and a lifetime warranty. Came with all sorts of replacement parts and the best part is it's half the price of a Littman. I listened to both steths in the shop and actually heard better through this one. Don't let the brand name lure you into outrageous prices. I got my Spygh for (20.95) from prestige medical. My pen light, scissors and pen came in a kit with a carrying case for (15.95). The case is excellent I am told by other nursing students because it fits nicely inside your pocket and you can put money in the bottom tab ( as you aren't allowed to take any bags with you into clinicals, snacks are a must if you have time!) I hope this helps, I shopped around and opted to go with not the cheapest brands nor the most expensive but rather a mid range. Good luck in the program!! I start in 8 days!!

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I have a Littmann Cardiology III steth. I got it as a gift from my friends...for getting into nursing school. Everything else I am buying seperatly. Amazon.com has alot of what you need and really good prices. You should check em out. I am getting sphyg, pen light, hemostats, trama scissors, etc through amazon. Shoot me an email and I will send you the list of items that I am getting from there. My email is [email protected].

Good luck in school....we start 8/27/12.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I start my BSN program next Monday and I am ordering a Littmann stethoscope. My Mom is a nurse and when I was talking to her about equipment, her only recommendation was that I should get a stethoscope that has a single tube rather than a double tube. Our NSA has Littmanns for sale. I found a website, Stethoscope Sale - 3M Littmann Stethoscopes where I am ordering my stethoscope from. Not only are they a little cheaper, but they also offer free laser engraving to help avoid losing a huge investment. (I don't have any affiliation with the medisave website, I'm just impressed with their prices and services offered). I'm a former EMT so I have acquired the rest of the my required equipment over the last 20 years, but if you're looking for quality and something that will stand up over time, I've found that spending a little extra money on individual pieces over the kits is a better financial move in the long run. Good luck with your program!!

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I got an MDF Instruments Stethoscope (59.95), it has got free parts for life and a lifetime warranty. Came with all sorts of replacement parts and the best part is it's half the price of a Littman. I listened to both steths in the shop and actually heard better through this one. Don't let the brand name lure you into outrageous prices. I got my Spygh for (20.95) from prestige medical. My pen light, scissors and pen came in a kit with a carrying case for (15.95). The case is excellent I am told by other nursing students because it fits nicely inside your pocket and you can put money in the bottom tab ( as you aren't allowed to take any bags with you into clinicals, snacks are a must if you have time!) I hope this helps, I shopped around and opted to go with not the cheapest brands nor the most expensive but rather a mid range. Good luck in the program!! I start in 8 days!!

Thanks for the advice :) I'm actually shopping on line so I won't be able to listen to them but I have been eyeing the prestige products. I was planning on getting pocket kit too. How did you like the pen light? I read some reviews on the lights not being as effective or too dim.

Good luck Class of 2014 (if you're an 18 month program) :)

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I purchased a prestige medical stethoscope and spyhg before nursing school. However, my school requires each student to purchase a "backpack" with practice supplies from pocket nurse... pen light, thermometer, and a sphyg, however the spyhg was very low quality and made a lot of the students frustrated. I would suggest going with a cheaper version, my stethoscope and sphgy were 20$ each, a two tubed stethoscope. Going for a higher quality could be something you do when you graduate or have an outside job. Also, the extra money could be spent on good shoes. :)

Yeah, I've already told my mom she's getting me a nicer one once I am an RN. For now, I'm going with inexpensive yet reliable. Is there a difference between the double tubed ones and the single tubed ones? I was looking at a double tubed one from the get go anywho :)

Thanks for your advice!

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

This one: Amazon.com: ADC ADSCOPE 603 Stainless Stethoscope, Black: Health & Personal Care

Affordable yet good quality. Doesn't hurt my ears like the cheap ones they sold in the bookstore at school. And I can actually hear. I wouldn't get an expensive one (i.e. Littman) unless you receive one as a gift. Certain items in my nursing kit "disappeared" at clinicals. Luckily it was cheap stuff like writing utensils, a penlight, etc... Ask for a nicer stethoscope for a gift for when you graduate nursing school.

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I start my BSN program next Monday and I am ordering a Littmann stethoscope. My Mom is a nurse and when I was talking to her about equipment, her only recommendation was that I should get a stethoscope that has a single tube rather than a double tube. Our NSA has Littmanns for sale. I found a website, Stethoscope Sale - 3M Littmann Stethoscopes where I am ordering my stethoscope from. Not only are they a little cheaper, but they also offer free laser engraving to help avoid losing a huge investment. (I don't have any affiliation with the medisave website, I'm just impressed with their prices and services offered). I'm a former EMT so I have acquired the rest of the my required equipment over the last 20 years, but if you're looking for quality and something that will stand up over time, I've found that spending a little extra money on individual pieces over the kits is a better financial move in the long run. Good luck with your program!!

Oh so I single tubed one is better than the double tubed? Did she say why? I will definitely look into that site. Thanks for the link and the advice :)

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I have a Littmann Cardiology III steth. I got it as a gift from my friends...for getting into nursing school. Everything else I am buying seperatly. Amazon.com has alot of what you need and really good prices. You should check em out. I am getting sphyg, pen light, hemostats, trama scissors, etc through amazon. Shoot me an email and I will send you the list of items that I am getting from there. My email is [email protected].

Good luck in school....we start 8/27/12.

I will definitely shoot you an email :) Thanks!

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This one: Amazon.com: ADC ADSCOPE 603 Stainless Stethoscope, Black: Health & Personal Care

Affordable yet good quality. Doesn't hurt my ears like the cheap ones they sold in the bookstore at school. And I can actually hear. I wouldn't get an expensive one (i.e. Littman) unless you receive one as a gift. Certain items in my nursing kit "disappeared" at clinicals. Luckily it was cheap stuff like writing utensils, a penlight, etc... Ask for a nicer stethoscope for a gift for when you graduate nursing school.

Great advice :) I'll check out the link. Thanks!

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my school had us order a specific kit and our stethoscope was purchased separately. The kit i ordered from the school did not have a thermometer only disposable and it did have a pretty good pen light=) the stethoscope i bought was $65 its an MD ONE brad and it works really well, it has been compared to the littmen and i love it! Hope that helps a bit Good lucck in nursing school!

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