Question about what stethoscope to buy for nursing program?

jeepgrl015 · Mar 9, 2013

I work at a hospital now as a medical assistant and I use a cheap one from a uniform store because doctors and other nurses do ask to use your stethoscope all te time and very rarely return it. I've been there 7 years and have gone through 5. I even tried a name tag on it, buying a pink one so the doctors don't want to use it and they still get taken. No one does it on purpose but when everyone's in their own world it just tends to get taken. I'm going into nursing school this summer and I plan I keeping my cheapo one just to save money. It's really up to you and how possessive you are with your things. There have been nurses who told the doctor NO but they usually didnt get treated well after that.

allnurses Guide · Mar 9, 2013

Littmanns are great. They are good investments of you can keep from losing them (I never have).

The master cardiology is likely way more scope that you will need, even 5 years down the road. If you aspire to work in a CCU or as a cardio APRN, then maybe it's good investment and a motivation piece.

Mandy0728 · Mar 9, 2013

Thanks for your advice guys! I'll probably just buy a cheap one for school and invest in a better one later :)

Mandy0728 · Jul 5, 2013

I actually plan on getting the Littmann classic II SE for nursing school. It's only $70 with free engraving through medisave.com.

meg2014 · Jul 6, 2013

Anyone know anything about prestige medical stethescopes?

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2013

I actually plan on getting the Littmann classic II SE for nursing school. It's only $70 with free engraving through medisave.com.

I just ordered that one, I was gonna get the cardio III but it's a bit pricey, so I decided on the littman se II. I think I got plum with the rainbow head and my name and a cross and a heart engraved on it, so there won't be any mistaking which one's mine and I sure won't mind asking for it back from anyone who "borrows" it!

Mandy0728 · Jul 6, 2013

I just ordered that one, I was gonna get the cardio III but it's a bit pricey, so I decided on the littman se II. I think I got plum with the rainbow head and my name and a cross and a heart engraved on it, so there won't be any mistaking which one's mine and I sure won't mind asking for it back from anyone who "borrows" it!

Yup! I originally wanted the cardio III but decided to wait until I'm a nurse. Plus it's over $150! Lol my boyfriends family are majority nurses & they told me the classic is perfect for school. I think I'm getting raspberry with the rainbow head and I won't be afraid to ask for mine back neither!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 7, 2013

You'll be pretty happy with the Classic II SE. I've used one for a long time. They're pretty good general purpose stethoscopes. My current stethoscope is a Cardiology III and I really do like it, but I got that one after I learned what I need to listen for with my Classic II SE. My backup is actually not made anymore. It's a Littmann Lightweight II SE. It's quite literally patterned after the Classic II SE but it's much lighter. It's not as good either, but I can hear what I need to with it. Most of the time, I can make do with a cheap $12 stethoscope...

Anyway, just get a stethoscope that isn't near junk level and keep your eyes on it constantly if it's not on your person. I've never had a stethoscope just walk away. I've left them places... but I've never just flat-out had one get stolen from me.

mbittleston · Jul 7, 2013

I was an EMT for 10 years and just graduated nursing school. I would save the cash and get a littman se II. That's what I used. If you are going to work in a cardiac, ICU, or CCU after school go for the cardiology 3 if you can afford it. The prestige stethoscopes will get you by but you won't hear as much as a littman will.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

ameliagal · Jul 16, 2013

This is great!! I'm about to start nursing school next month and was looking for a good stethoscope too. I love that there's free engraving:yeah:

aTOMicTom · Jul 16, 2013

I work at a hospital now as a medical assistant and I use a cheap one from a uniform store because doctors and other nurses do ask to use your stethoscope all te time and very rarely return it. I've been there 7 years and have gone through 5. I even tried a name tag on it, buying a pink one so the doctors don't want to use it and they still get taken. No one does it on purpose but when everyone's in their own world it just tends to get taken. ...There have been nurses who told the doctor NO but they usually didnt get treated well after that.

I can't believe docs expect to borrow a stethoscope instead of bringing their own. I think I'll get one of those kid's play stethoscopes and keep it in my pocket for just such an occasion! Here ya go, doc, use my "Dora the Explorer" steth! I keep it in my BACKPACK! BACKPACK!