Save Money or Spend it?

Hello, I am starting my assessment course this semester. We have been told we will need a pen light and a stethoscope. I was wondering if I should spend the money to get a good stethoscope that will go with me to my job, or just get something to get me by until I actually have a job. I know there are $20 ones and $200 ones, but is there a REAL difference? Also I believe I will need a Nurses watch soon, any suggestion on that? What other items may be required as I go through school? I have a birthday coming and Christmas before my clinical classes, so I want to have my wish list ready or my money saved. Thanks

For a stethoscope, something mid-range should suit you nicely, and should still last for years to come. Consider models available from DRG/Trimline, Riester and MDF. Riester also offer a range of superior quality penlights as well as the "Ri-Light" - especially keenly priced for students.

You should be able to find an online store which can provide all of these, together with your nurses watch, so that shipping costs can be negligible, or even zero - to add to the savings you should be able to make by shopping online.

Narrow your search by using the words "PureTone" "cardiophon" ER Premier" "Ri-Light" and "Fortelux" to begin with.

[tachybradyRN]

I used a $20 sprague style stethoscope for my whole first year of my two year program and found it more than adequate. I have a mid-range Littman now and I like it, but I got it as a birthday present. I wouldn't have bought anything more expensive for myself while in school. The sprague was good enough for me

Yup, what she said ........... also good advice

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I saw someone on the stethoscope forum give good marks to the $23.95 stethoscope sold on ebay by GRx Medical, saying it's basically a clone of a Littman (the diaphragms are even interchangeable, I guess):

http://stores.ebay.com/GRx-Medical

Shipping is $9.95 and it comes with a free penlight. :) (I have no association with this company -- just passing along info I found in another forum on allnurses!)

General consensus on the stethoscope forum is to go more "middle of the road". The really lower-end ones can be harder to hear with, and the higher-end ones can go walking off if you turn your back on them in clinicals. Everyone there seems to have a favorite brand, but it should help narrow it down for you: https://allnurses.com/forums/f316/

I spent like $25 on my stethoscope from AllHearts. It's an AllHeart brand and came with replacement pieces for whenever I need them. It works great! And they even have different colors to choose from!

http://www.allheart.com/ahdst0500blk.html

Thank You Everyone for your input, especially Brillohead. I went to the stethoscope thread link you copied and read what they were suggesting. (didn't know that thread existed. I just sent my brother an email about the GRx CD-27. They have their special running on Ebay right now for 23.95 +9.95 shipping plus a pen light and name tag. From the threads it sounds like this is a good scope at a great price. We will see. My brother is going to order it for me for my birthday(next week). If it isn't any god I'm not out, and if it is I will order an extra in case it "wanders".

Thanks

Hello, I am starting my assessment course this semester. We have been told we will need a pen light and a stethoscope. I was wondering if I should spend the money to get a good stethoscope that will go with me to my job, or just get something to get me by until I actually have a job. I know there are $20 ones and $200 ones, but is there a REAL difference? Also I believe I will need a Nurses watch soon, any suggestion on that? What other items may be required as I go through school? I have a birthday coming and Christmas before my clinical classes, so I want to have my wish list ready or my money saved. Thanks

Get a good one!! I got a cheapo one from Jasco and was so embarrassed that I couldn't hear that well through it. I figured I was out of practice. I just got a Littman Master Class II and it is AMAZING the difference it makes! It's about $85 so midrange. I want to work ICU after graduation so I'll upgrade to the next level then but this one is really great!

I used a $20 sprague style stethoscope for my whole first year of my two year program and found it more than adequate. I have a mid-range Littman now and I like it, but I got it as a birthday present. I wouldn't have bought anything more expensive for myself while in school. The sprague was good enough for me

I had a sprague in LPN school and I liked it but it was sooo heavy!

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Thank You Everyone for your input, especially Brillohead.

You're very welcome -- I hope it works out well for you! (Happy birthday, by the way!)

After you get it, maybe you could post back here again and let everyone know what you think of it quality-wise?

[Pinkster]

Everyone prefers a different type or brand of Stethoscope. I was lucky enough to have been given mine, a 3M Littmann Classic II SE and I do love it (it is made in the USA too). It is the same that our Student Nurses Associated was selling at Orientation for 75 dollars. They are very nice and pretty light weight. Everyone in my class pretty much has one and they are all happy with them so far. edit: I forgot to mention my friend was given one of those double tubed ones (is that sprague i have no idea) I couldn't hear anything./

If I had to I would invest in one that you can actually hear out of and like, try some out at a medical supply store if you can. You are going to be in Nursing school for two years, you might as well buy one that will last through school and beyond.

Good equipment is an investment I think.

As for a pen light, I mean its just a penlight, don't go crazy with spending on that, but then again why buy 10 One dollar ones that break, when you could have bough one good 8 dollar one that lasts.

Anywayssss Get what you can afford and what will work for you.