Need Stethoscope Advice!!!

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Hey everyone! I'm fairly new to this site, and also to nursing! I start school next week...and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on which brand stethoscope to purchase for clinicals?! It needs to be a dual-head.... I know they can get super expensive...I'm really just looking for a practical, trusted brand! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys! Good luck to all who have started classes, or those who are preparing to start next week!

Kat :)

I am a student, so I can't recommend one, but I know this question gets asked a lot...I suggest you click on search above and type in stethoscope...that will bring up all the posts where people talk about them. I plan on doing that myself!

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

kat, hello and welcome. here is a site http://www.nursesstationcatalog.com/instruments/stethoscope.html for you. i do wish you all the best in your endeavors.

Kat, welcome to the board.

I'm a student also but ordered my stethoscope from http://www.allheart.com. A Littmann was the recommendation I've heard quite a bit lately. They have several types and prices. I ordered a Littmann Classic II SE. The price was $57.99, but they do have some that are less expensive that that.

Good luck!!

Hope this helps.

Try this site: Stethoscopes.org

The Cardiology III is the most versatile. You can use if for adults and peds/small adults. The "tunable" diaphragm functions like a normal diaphragm AND a bell depending on the pressure applied to the chestpiece.

Although I'm not expert, I highly recommend it even if you have to spend a little more money. I've used cheap stethoscopes and used to think there wasn't a difference, until I bought a real one. Now I won't use anything but the Littman. And no, I am not employed or compensated by Littman in any way.

Hi, I would say get what fits into your budget now. I purchased a Littman Cardiology III as psychomaniac mentioned.. it's an early Christmas Gift !

:nurse:

Specializes in step down/progressive care.

Hi there, I was wondering the same thing about Stethoscopes..I had to buy one for this semseter as well. I bought the Littman SE as well, it was $57.00 or so, shipping was about $5.00. I bought it on Stethosopes.com and they delivered in two or three days.

Good luck this semester!

Someday I'll be able to afford a Littman...I've heard they are the best...

Until then, I just bought a plain ol' Prestige Medical Steth from our local Medical Shop. Did the job for clinical.

Don't forget...a Littman will grow legs and walk off....so be super careful with 'em!

Check out e-bay, I got a great deal on my brand new in the box Littman classic 2 SE for $36

The littmans are nice... dont get me wrong.. but i know a ton of girls who lost theirs.. i bought mine and it cost 10$ like literally its a canadain company, and it comes with a 3 year warnty.. its simple, but you can hear everything you need to, and if youre only in 1st year a littman can cost you an arm and a leg that you dont have to spare..

The mailing address of the company i got mine from is

AMG MEDICAL INC.

8505 Dalton

Montreal, Quebec

H4T 1V5

or check the website.... http://www.amgmedical.com/site/cate.asp and do a seach in the pro diagnostics for stethoscopes.. im not sure if the ship to the states or what not, but you can always contact the companies...

best wishes to you in your fist rotation :D

I have a littman that I really like. I think it was about 40$ Had it engraved with my initials so it wont walk off.

Also allheart.com has a great nursemates stethescope w/a built in clock/pulse timer. (you can also buy a pulse timer there If you dont know any drug reps that can give you one for free)

cawsn

I would reccommed a pulse timer no matter what brand you get.It makes life so much easier for you in the beginning when you are akward. A pulse timer clips right on to your sthesthescope (right by the chest piece is the best spot so it is right in front of you) so you dont have to try and glance at your watch every other second. A HUGE HUGE HELP!!

CAWSN:kiss

When I did my BSN(1979-1983) we were required to purchase a Littman stethoscope. I used it for many years and it worked well.

Later in life, I became a nursing instructor and the school I worked for had no specifications so students bought the

cheapest stethoscopes they could find. Try listening to heart and lung sounds with those...very very difficult if not impossible.

A classic Littman should be very acceptable as a longterm investment and one that will help you to learn the skills in your program. Buying online or in bulk with others in your class is usually one of the most cost-effective ways to purchase.

When I did my masters as a NP, I bought a Littman Cardiology III

because it was versatile: for peds and adults.

Now, I am looking at electronic stethoscopes and wondering if I will get more out of them?

So buy what you need and know that you may want to upgrade

when circumstances change. But never buy a cheapie that is only good for listening to BPS if that.

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