Should I buy a nice stethoscope?

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I getting starting CNA classes next week, plan on working as a CNA while I'm in nursing school, and will be starting nursing school... I am really wanting to buy a Littmann Classic III because I want to work with pediatrics and adults (dual head) and it is good quality. I am wondering if I should just buy a cheap stethoscope to get me through school or if it is worth buying a nice one I will keep with me through nursing school and in my RN career.

Plus I want a pink one :)

Thanks guys!

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I say go for it! It is nice to have a high quality stethoscope while you are learning, for sure! Also they last years so why not invest in the quality now?

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Specializes in school nursing.

I have a Littmann that I bought in nursing school and I say go for it! It will last you a while and I notice a huge difference in what I'm able to hear when comparing it to other, less expensive stethoscopes. The only advice I have is to make sure you have some little pouch for it (mine is the peach color, and I sometimes just throw it in my big bag of stuff, and pen/pencil/marker easily transfers off the page and onto the stethoscope, making it look dirty) :)

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If you can afford it, go for it. However, it's not necessary. Especially as a cna. Most you would use it for is breath sounds and bp/hr. I have one that doubles for pediatrics and it was only $20 at my schools bookstore

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Specializes in Ambulatory care.

I use a Littmann which i bought for myself as a brand new nursing student and still use it to date as a nurse 3 years later. So while everyone else was rubbing pinched ears I had soft cushy ear pieces. if you have the money go for it. Its not as if it will go to waste just have your name engraved on it and dont' lend it to anyone.

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Specializes in ER.

That's nice that the classic III has a peds head. When I had the classic SE/II/whatever it idd not have a peds side, just a bell. My cardiology III has a peds side and I love it. In terms of stethoscopes, my favorites were cardiology III, classic, then master cardiology.

Black Friday followed by Nurses Week are generally the best deals on Litmanns.

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I'm no longer a floor nurse... But when I was in school I bought the recommended Littmann. It was encouraged we buy a "quality" stethescope, and the recommended model was a Master Classic II. It was nice for me in school and as a floor nurse because there was no flipping sides needed based on situation (the model is tuneable and it depends how hard you press what sounds you hear). Anyhow. Still in nearly perfect condition (7 years later), I've changed the ear pieces. I decided since I was in school and could lump costs of supplies in with other college costs I had no excuse not to buy something "worth it".

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I say start with a cheapo. When you have a pt that has to use disposable one it will be easier. I learned on a Littman at first and when I had to use a disposable for a test I had a hard time as ev1 in my lvn class that had Littman's. The people who had the cheapest ones did the best with the disposable

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I say go for it! It is nice to have a high quality stethoscope while you are learning, for sure! Also they last years so why not invest in the quality now?

That's what I was thinking! Every thing I have read online says that people have had their littmanns for years and still use them! So that is good to know! I think it will be a nice present to myself for making it into the program!

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I have a Littmann that I bought in nursing school and I say go for it! It will last you a while and I notice a huge difference in what I'm able to hear when comparing it to other, less expensive stethoscopes. The only advice I have is to make sure you have some little pouch for it (mine is the peach color, and I sometimes just throw it in my big bag of stuff, and pen/pencil/marker easily transfers off the page and onto the stethoscope, making it look dirty) :)

That is very good to know! Thank you! This may be a dumb question, but are they cleanable?

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If you can afford it, go for it. However, it's not necessary. Especially as a cna. Most you would use it for is breath sounds and bp/hr. I have one that doubles for pediatrics and it was only $20 at my schools bookstore

That is good to know as well.. Thank you.

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I use a Littmann which i bought for myself as a brand new nursing student and still use it to date as a nurse 3 years later. So while everyone else was rubbing pinched ears I had soft cushy ear pieces. if you have the money go for it. Its not as if it will go to waste just have your name engraved on it and dont' lend it to anyone.

Thank you for your reply! I'm happy to know you still use yours and it is good quality. I also like your advice as far as not letting anyone borrowing it :) I've heard people have a habit of snagging the nice ones

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