Any Nurses Out There Who use a Prestige Sprague?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

Hi,

I am a student nurse who is obsessive about stethoscopes. I have several, including a Littmann Classic II S.E., but the one that I really like (or at least have become attached to) is my Prestige Sprague in hunter green. I know the Littman is louder and lighter, but darn it, I like the old-school style of the Sprague, the various attachments, the lower price tag and the hefty weight (it just feels more substantial to me!).

I'm just a student, so my experience is about as in depth as the first word at the top of this post. But I'm curious: are there current RN's, LPN's, EMT's, student nurses, etc. who use the Prestige Sprague and dig it? Or even love it? Does anybody know any doctors that use the Sprague-style? Everybody loves the Littmanns and they are great steths, but I just haven't been won over by them (I'm stubborn).

All of the teachers at my school use Littmanns, (except one who uses a Sprague in hot pink) but I see many nurses on my clinical rotation who use the Prestige Sprague. I guess ultimately I want to know if it will be a good scope for me to work with.

Those who use it currently: Can you take BP's well with it? Can you hear lung sounds, bowel sounds, bruits, etc. all right? I have not had a chance to take this steth on a clinical rotation yet, but I hope to to try it in the trenches next week.

It seems as though some people are really down on these Sprague steths, and I wanted to hear from those who had a positive opinion of them.

What are the pros and cons in your experience?

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'm a fan of this old workhorse stethoscope!

Cheers!

John

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Specializes in cardiac.

I am also a nursing student. I've been using a Purple Prestige Sprague along with the other gals in my clinical group. I have no complaints other than it is a bit on the heavy side and after wearing it for a long time I notice my neck and shoulders hurt. I've listened to bruits and lungs and bowels and I can hear then very well. I too like that it came with different attachments. It was very helpful during my pediatric rotation because then I could use my own stethoscope instead of one I wasn't used to using. I think it is a great stethoscope and I recommend it to people all the time. Plus it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I think it is a good choice for students. Once you're in the field you may want something better for instance if you work on a cardiac floor or something.

I haven't seen any MDs with this stethoscope and most of the RNs have Littmanns as well, but like I said most of the students I'm with all have the prestige.

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

Lifeis2Good,

I agree - nice steth for the student on a budget. I've gotten a bit more clinical time with my Prestige Sprague and am happy with the purchase. It's a very popular stethoscope model at my school too - I see them in every color of the rainbow there!

Thanks for the reply, and good luck in school!

John

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I do & that is all I have ever used. I have a Littmann (sp) cant hear as well with it. We have one ER doc that also uses a sprague. Works for me.

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

I'm the same way! Honestly I think I can hear just as well out of my Prestige Sprague as I can my Littmann Classic II S.E. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has experienced this (I thought something may be wrong with my Littmann!). It really seems like people's ability to use a certain model of stethoscope is very individualized. I have friends that swear they cannot hear out of my Sprague, but myself and others seem to do fine. :confused:

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

Just a bump to see if there are any more nurses out there that use any kind of Sprague - (Prestige, MDF, ADC, no-name, etc.) Call me curious :D

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