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.
My school suggested we get a basic (cheap) stethoscope. I purchased the Classic III. Classes haven't began but when they do, I want to be sure I know the sounds I need to hear so if ever I have to use a "basic" scope during clinicals, I know what to listen for. I do have a super cheap one (hurts my ears) and I practice at home listening to heart sounds and BP with the sphygmomanometer.)
I used the Classic in school. I now work in a LTC and find the Cardiology III makes for better hearing. I have mine marked, both of them and I don't let others use mine.
As long as you are planning on continuing on for your RN, yes by all means treat yourself to the best stethoscope you can afford. I got my Master Cardiology my first semester of nursing school, almost 16 years ago. I have replaced the ear pieces and last year replaced the tubing [not cheap, but cheaper than a new Littman] and it's still going strong.
I have a clinicians adscope and I love it! It has quality tones like a littman but without the nasty price tag. Its a quality build and very nice. I got mine on super sale for $50 on Amazon.
You MAY wanna keep around a cheap one for clinicals. Someone in one of our semesters would lose theirs or it get stolen on the floor. I even had people straight up tell me they'd kill for the gold stethoscope my mom passed down to me. Definitely hid that one.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Don't waste your money on an expensive stethoscope. Wait until you're actually a nurse doing patient assessments. Perhaps you could ask for it as a graduation present.
Circumstances in life can change on a dime. Wait until you're out of school, then treat yourself or have someone give it to you as a present.
Another thing to consider: some nursing programs stipulate what kind of stethoscope you have to have while in their program. (Part of the uniform code.)
It's definitely worth getting a decent stethoscope. I was dirt poor in nursing school and I bought an $18 piece of crap from the uniform store that we had to special order our school uniforms from. During the first day of PN clinicals (we did CNA clinicals earlier in the program) we had to do a head to toe assessment with our instructor. I wasn't hearing half of what she was able to hear with her Littmann. She asked to borrow mine and she stated, "It's your stethoscope. It's not sensitive enough".
I ended up coughing up the money for a better one and got a Classic II that I had forever until I recently lost it and had to replace it. I also have a lightweight Littman which only cost me half the price and works well enough for basic nursing assessments. If you have the money to get the one you like and keep it, they last forever. If not, a cheaper Littmann would still be good enough for school.
My mother bought me a Littman Cardio III for Christmas - she said I could buy several inexpensive ones and then a nice one, or a nice one and watch it like a hawk (I also had it engraved).
I had bought an Adscope stethoscope for cheap and I can barely hear anything out of it. I'm going to return it and buying a lightweight Littman instead...just wondering how well the lightweight one is compared to the classic scope for nursing school?
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SunkissedRN2b
197 Posts
My school suggested we get a basic (cheap) stethoscope. I purchased the Classic III. Classes haven't began but when they do, I want to be sure I know the sounds I need to hear so if ever I have to use a "basic" scope during clinicals, I know what to listen for. I do have a super cheap one (hurts my ears) and I practice at home listening to heart sounds and BP with the sphygmomanometer.)
If the money isn't an issue, go for it.