jalainec

I had a sprague Rap stethoscope in nursing school and thought it was cool until I dropped it on the floor of the new born nursery one day and it went into a million pieces.ball bearings everywhere, little rings,bits...losing my dignity crawling around picking up debris! - embarrassing... Since i had already decided to go into cardiac ICU I wanted the best scope I could afford. I've worked in several places where nurses were expected to and took pride in being able to hear different types of heart murmurs, S3s and S4s, fine and course crackles, and wheezes, so I tried out the other nurses stethoscopes. I discovered that I could hear much better with the Littmann Master Cardiology scope. I bought it for my RN graduation and used it for 22 years. The warranty was great. I sent it back every 3-4 years and got it refurbished like new for free. I just recently lost it (I still can't talk about it without getting a little emotional ) and I'm buying a new one just like, only dark red with my name engraved. They are a little more expensive, but if you want to hear whats going on in your patients heart or lungs or hear bowel sounds that other people cannot.This is the one. Janice

How do you carry a stethoscope other than around the neck. They don't fit in my pockets. My pockets are full off all the other stuff I use at work.I carried the same stethocope for 22 years (I sent it to Littmann for repairs every 3 years) but I recently lost it.Then I lost my spare stethoscope a month later. They just fell off my neck in the parking lot or a patients bed, never to be seen again. I'm buying a new one and would like velcro it to my uniform or attach it to myself in some way. I can't put it down at work or it will be carried off. Any ideas? Janice

i worked ICU for years with ICU nurses that would refuse to float to the med surg floor. They were scared because they could not monitor their patients as closely as in ICU and scared of having 5 or more pts to care for. When i'm afraid of something I go and do it. That usually makes me not afraid anymore. Med surg nurses have to be very organized. They prioritizecare just like ICUnurses.

Can anyone suggest a good commercal pocket referance for critical care? I am a former ICU nurse returning to Critical Care. I have been working in a prison mental health unit for 5 years. I was used to being the high functioning, "super" ICU nurse, now I'm "rusty". I recently took a critical care course. I'm doing lots of reading. I need a good pocket "brain". I am making cards with formulas,drip dosages, lab refernce lists, but there must be a commercial product already available with thus information. i know relearning everything will take time and patience, but I'm working now.