Food for thought....In Nursing School, you learn the basics and simply need a basic stethoscope. Go shopping at a store, try out a few, some nurses feel the need the expensive one and others claim they can hear with the $10 one. Your choice, but my advise is to get the $10 one and IF you choose to specialize in tele or ICU, then get the expensive one.
Think of it this way....when you are 60, do you still want to do bedside nursing (which at times can be a little tough), or have your BSN (while you're in the swing of school, go for the BSN) and do paperwork as an RN?
DO NOT go through RUE Education!!!! The material you purchase DOES NOT go along with the tests! I failed some of the tests because the material they gave me did not go along with the test. I gave them $10,000! Trust me, they will lie to you to get money!!! AND, you are under a contract and cannot get out, you have to pay once you sign the papers.:angryfire