Recommended Stethoscope for STUDENT!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 5, 2012

Students don't need anything other than a $12 sprague. You don't even know what you are listening for, lol. Let somone buy you a good model when you graduate.

I agree, not b/c of the "not knowing what you're listening for" part lol but if your school is anything like mines..your stethoscope might grow legs & walk away if you know what I mean. Don't drop $200 on a stethoscope while in school! I paid like $30 for my stethoscope when I started my CNA program. It got me through school just fine & if I had lost it, I wouldn't have cried since it wasn't terribly expensive. Just something to consider.

Nolli · May 5, 2012

I have 2 stethoscopes. One I got during EMT school that has lasted me 9 years. The second was what we were issued for nursing school. Both are Littman Classic 2 SEs. I didn't need a new one, but hey it's an awesome piece of equipment that lets you hear what you need to and will last a really really long time.

migraineattack · May 5, 2012

try littman or baxtel.. i prefer the latter though :)

sandanrnstudent · May 5, 2012

I sprung for Littman Cardiology III! Love it and got it engraved for free!

sandanrnstudent

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 5, 2012

I vote for the Littman Select (what I had) or Lightweight. it's a very good scope at a decent price ($50 or so). It'll survive the wear and tear of nursing school. If you want to spring for a bit more, then get the Classic--it's a great scope.

When you graduate, then you can treat yourself--or be treated--to a higher-end scope...and at that point, when you engrave it, you can add RN or LVN after your name :)

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 5, 2012

I'm not a big fan of buying something for school then having to rebuy a better one later. I admit the stethescope was the thing was looking forward to when I became a student so I got the one I wanted a Cardiology III All Black Edition. I still use it now 4 years later and it still looks brand new.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 5, 2012

Oh I should also add. Please don't steal stethoscopes from the facilities you do clinical's at like my ex classmate

Do-over, ASN, RN · May 5, 2012

Now, I can't hear anything with the yellow disposable isolation scopes, so I don't use them - I just clean my own. Which, is a littman II, I think. I like it, mostly because it is very light.

I can hear fantastic with my $11 hot pink sprague, can still hear great with the $8 green one I bought back in 1995. I used them in nursing school and previously for EMS training and had no issues. They are heavy though, and not as comfortable in the ears.

My mother bought my Littman as a gift for graduating. I like it, but would probably not spend the money myself... I'd just use the sprague. I'd save the cash for my next pair of Sanitas...

Do-over, ASN, RN · May 5, 2012

Oh I should also add. Please don't steal stethoscopes from the facilities you do clinical's at like my ex classmate

My mother would call that "uncouth".

smurfynursey · May 5, 2012

I would reccomend the Littmann Classic II SE. I had the lightweight one and found that I didn't like it. It will serve you well. If you end up going into cards then I would get a better one, but I've had my classic II for 5 years. I recently got a new one, but only because I wanted one that was more baby and toddler friendly. (even that, was a classic II ped)

maccheese · May 5, 2012

I opted for a Littman Lightweight. $50 wasn't too much for me. I was not interested in paying more than that either. Many of classmates have the less expensive spragues and they seem to do just fine. Also, in my hospital, we were NOT allowed to take anything into an isolation room, so we had to use the one designated for the patient. When it comes down to it, and your ears become more accustomed, you'll be able to hear no matter what steth you hear not unless you have a hearing problem (which some of my instructors did, and adjustments had to be made) or the thing is broken. $100 for a cardiology, don't need it to hear bowel sounds, breath sound, and heart beats.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · May 5, 2012

Acoustic Stethoscope Review Page 1, Best Stethoscope, Omron Sprague Rappaport, Littmann Cardiology III review, Stethoscope Review, Allheart, ADC Adscope, DRG Puretone, Littmann Cardiology, Master Classic II, Classic II SE,Omron, Prestige Sprague Rapp

Here you go. for what average nurses do, all you need is the Omron Sprague Rappaport, judged here as the best value for the money. When you get a little more sophisticated spring for something better. You just look silly with a stethoscope you don't know how to use, honestly.