hi. i will be starting nursing school in january. i have been looking around at the different brands of stethoscopes. i have also done a search on this board for stethoscopes and have read through the messages posted there. any recommendations for a good stethoscope and also is it worth the extra money to purchase a good one versus a cheap one? a friend of mine who is an ER nurse says that i do not need to spend more than $20. on a scope. i would love to get some ideas on what type to buy and also, what do you like about the stethoscope that you use?:)
LauraLou 532 Posts Dec 14, 2003 I have a Tycos Harvey Elite. As I am also starting in January, I can't give you any feedback on how well it works. My suggestion is once you decide what you want, check out Ebay. I got mine on Ebay, brand new, and paid less than half the list price.
suzy253, RN 3,815 Posts Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg. Dec 14, 2003 I'm a student as well and I have been using the Littman Master Classic II on my clinicals based on recommendations from nurses using this board. It's a very good steth.
Headhurt, ADN 202 Posts Specializes in Oncology RN. Has 15 years experience. Dec 14, 2003 I've used a Littman, and have no complaints. Fellow classmates have other brands, all report them working well.Whichever one you pick, make sure it has a doudle-sided bell. Some instructors are particular about that sort of thing.Good luck in school!
ibmissy 88 Posts Specializes in Geriatrics. Has 7 years experience. Dec 14, 2003 I use a stethoscope my other half bought when I was pregnant with my 8 yr old son..He bought it at CVS to try and listen to him in my belly. It cost a total of $15 and I have no problem with it.I recommend a cheap one over an expensive one..Once you have mastered using a cheap one, then you may want to get a littman or something like that. But cheaper ones are better for those learning to take b/p's and listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds. I've noticed in class those who own littmans had a harder time passing the b/p skill in lab..Mostly because the double stethoscope the teacher uses with you is pretty cheap..and the acoustics aren't as good as the more expensive scopes.
raynefall 80 Posts Specializes in ER then CVICU now. Dec 14, 2003 Originally posted by time4mydream hi. i will be starting nursing school in january. i have been looking around at the different brands of stethoscopes. i have also done a search on this board for stethoscopes and have read through the messages posted there. any recommendations for a good stethoscope and also is it worth the extra money to purchase a good one versus a cheap one? a friend of mine who is an ER nurse says that i do not need to spend more than $20. on a scope. i would love to get some ideas on what type to buy and also, what do you like about the stethoscope that you use?:) I refuse to spend over $100 for a Littman stethoscope while I'm still a student. After I graduate and pass the NCLEX fine, but for now my $15 stethoscope that works real well will have to do!
debx 27 Posts Dec 14, 2003 You can't go wrong with a Littman. However, I refuse to pay more than $20 for a stethoscope. I work in ER and they tend to "walk". As a matter of fact, I bought an extra "cheapy" to keep in my locker at work.
AmyB 260 Posts Specializes in LTC. Dec 15, 2003 When we were buying our supplies before the first semester started, one of the graduating seniors told us there were two things that it would be worth it to invest in. One was a good pair of shoes (obviously) and the other was a stethascope. I have a cheapie Sprague and a Littman Lightweight and they both seem to work well for me. I had no difficulty passing my lab b/p with either scope. Good luck!
Sarah Kat 229 Posts Dec 15, 2003 My folks got me a Littmann Classic II SE as an early Christmas present. I start school in Jan. I have used it to listen to family members and pets (yes, pets) and it works very well. The scope "recommended" for my class from the place we get our student uniforms is a Prestige sprague (from what I understand it's because its one of the higher quality cheapie scopes).
tdg_rn 57 Posts Specializes in Emergency. Dec 15, 2003 I am in the same boat - starting school in January and all. I decided to go ahead with the Littman Classic II SE. The biggest reason I chose it was I think you generally get what you pay for. Littman has an extremely good track record. I'm also pretty good about hanging on to my stuff so I expect to have it for a good while. I didn't want to drop a whole lot of money on one but I felt it was more of an investment.Terence
#1rnstudent 157 Posts Specializes in orthopaedics, perioperative. Dec 16, 2003 I have a Littmann Cardiology III and I love it! I also have a cheapie sprague stethoscope and the earpieces hurt, they never stay in the spot I position them. I love my Littmann and would not trade it for anything. :kiss I also refuse to lend it because I did not pay all that money for others to use it and I don't need any ear infections. I save the cheapie in case others need to borrow one.
bonjovigirl 143 Posts Dec 16, 2003 I bought a cheapie sprauge steth, and I really don't like it. I feel that it has too much background noise. I don't know if mine was a dud or not, but my buddy who bought the same one is also upgrading. I bought a Littman select, and it was only $40, and is very good, and light. Although I hear they tend to "walk" alot. Keep an eye on yours, regardless of cost.
