Question about what stethoscope to buy for nursing program?

RNnewbie2014 · Jul 17, 2013

I have a classic as well I think. I can't remember sadly. I just know I like it, but one of my classmates uses a cardiology one and wow!!! You can't miss a beat on that thing. It is quite nice! I ordered mine off allheart.com. It is a pretty good website!

Mandy0728 · Jul 17, 2013

I have a classic as well I think. I can't remember sadly. I just know I like it but one of my classmates uses a cardiology one and wow!!! You can't miss a beat on that thing. It is quite nice! I ordered mine off allheart.com. It is a pretty good website![/quote']
I'm actually still debating between the classic & the cardiology III. I know that the classic is good enough for nursing school, and the cardio is double the price I looked at allheart.com too and when I went to medisave.com, they had free engraving! So hard to choose lol

donk · Jul 17, 2013

I used the classic for first year and had zero issues with it, it was a good stethoscope. Unfortunately my cat made lunch of the tubing over summer break, which gives me a reason to get the cardiology III.

csmcj, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2013

I have the cardiology III and I live it. On the rare occasions I've had to borrow classmates' stethoscopes, there's no comparison.

dt70 · Jul 20, 2013

Get what you want Plus a cheap $10 scope. Loan out the $10 one and just have to get the $10 back if lost.

You'll be known as the person with the cheap stethoscope, and forgetful folks will seek out someone else to borrow a stethoscope from.

i♥words · Jul 20, 2013

I start in the fall and bought a Littmann Classic II S.E. per my program's recommendation. Bought it on medisave.net since they have the cheapest price + free engraving. I don't really see what's wrong with saying "no" when someone asks to borrow my stethoscope. I mean, I'm a pretty generous person, like I'm always letting people borrow (and keep) my pens, but I don't really want someone's ears all over my steth with the possibility of no return. A pen is one thing, a pricey stethoscope is another.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2013

That is a cardiac specialty steth and really unnecessary for nursing school. I have the Littman Classic II and it's a great scope.

Mandy0728 · Jul 20, 2013

Get what you want Plus a cheap $10 scope. Loan out the $10 one and just have to get the $10 back if lost.
You'll be known as the person with the cheap stethoscope, and forgetful folks will seek out someone else to borrow a stethoscope from.

That's a smart idea!

green34 · Jul 20, 2013

I have a cardiology III and I love it. I use both the adult and pediatric diaphragm at work because I triage patients. think it is worth the cost in my opinion. However, keep it close and always on you. Do not be afraid to say no if someone wants to borrow it. It is your piece of equipment. If a doctor asks for it, I would say no if you do not know them. Some people would feel uncomfortable, but it is your property and it also goes in your ears and I kind of doubt alcohol can really clean inside the earbuds.

I let people I trust use mine, but I don't let anyone borrow it. Is it an ER resident or attending? Maybe I'll let them borrow mine but they should have their own. Is it a internal med resident? No, they are not borrowing my stuff.

Black Friday on medisave is the best time that I saw in over a year to purchase them followed by Nurses week deals.

I honestly don't think I have ever had a doctor or a nurse ask to borrow my stethoscope. I've had two classmates borrow it but they returned it and I trusted them. Also, any engraving you get done get on the bell or head of the stethoscope and not on the tubing. Tubing cost like 60 bucks for a cardiology three. Make it a habit to stick it in a pocket and don't lay it down anywhere. I yell at people who do that.

Mandy0728 · Jul 20, 2013

Thank you! I know I've been going back & forth between the cardio III and the classic, but I'm pretty sure I'm going with the cardio. Some people say that it's too much for nursing school, but isn't that a good thing?

aachavez · Jul 21, 2013

Had a prestige and it was awful, couldn't hear anything with it. I now have a Littmann master classic 2 and absolutely love it. The MDF MD1 is just as good as a littmann, but a little cheaper. Even as a student I am really glad I had a Littmann, it was much easier to pick up subtle sounds.

hiddenjoules · Jul 23, 2013

I started off with a Littmann Lightweight ($40). I thought it was a great first stethoscope for learning what to listen for. I never had any problems with it, in fact I still use it as my back up.

After two years as an EMT, I found that I personally needed something a little stronger to hear things in the back of a moving ambulance (especially with lights and sirens). I now have a (black) Littmann Master Classic II which I absolutely love, and I also plan on using it throughout nursing school. I've seen them range from $89-110.

In any case, I highly recommend the Littmann brand. Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for!