what stethoscope to buy?

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I'd post over in the student nurse forum, except I thought I might get better (more) responses here...

I start clinicals this fall and need to purchase a stethoscope and a bp cuff. Our program recommends the Littmann brand, but one that has 2 sides...ie, not one where you just put more pressure on the chestpiece...one where you can flip it over b/c it's easier for students. However, I can't find any new Littmann's that do that...they all seem to have the first kind...

What do you recommend? I am in a PN program, but plan on pursuing my RN/BSN/MSN... so I want a good one that will last, one that I can hear very well with.... I'm willing to spend the $$, but just don't know what to get... the Littmann Cardio III is one that I keep coming across.

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When I was a student I bought the Littman Master Classic II and loved it. It only had one "side" and I had no issues with it.

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that's the other one I am considering...

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I just graduated and its perfect for my job now and I found I was the one picking up stuff other students werent

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I have the Littmann Classic II S.E. Breast Cancer awareness one. I love it. My only advice would whatever you buy purchase a dark color. My light pink on looks like skank and I have tried everything under the sun to clean it!

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
When I was a student I bought the Littman Master Classic II and loved it. It only had one "side" and I had no issues with it.

I bought that one as a student 20 years ago and still have it today...that's the one for me:)

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A friend of mine (also in my program) who is a CNA at the hospital, says all the nurses have the Cardio III one... is that overkill? I don't care about the $$ for this purchase, but it may be more than I need... I guess I am deciding between those 2 kinds.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Honestly, littman's have a habit of disappearing. I've lost a couple that way, and they were engraved. Ultrascopes have a good sound quality and you can customize the colors so people will not mistake them for yours, and they're half the price of a lot of the littmans. However, your school may have certain requirements for your stethoscope, so I would definitely talk to them before investing heavily in any of them.

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I had no issues finding a double-sided Littman two years ago. One end is the bell and the other is a diaphragm. Try allheart or stethoscopes.com.

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I'll keep looking for the 2 sided one... I don't want to stray from what school recommends.

Also, any input in a manual bp cuff? I need one of those too, and have no clue...

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I have the Littman Cadio III and love it. Well worth the money. :o:heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU, Hospice, Nursing Education.

As far as the manual BP cuff.... I would just buy a generic cheap one. I MAYBE used mine 3 times in school (during labs) but always used hospital equipment in clinicals. I use it to check my husbands bp on occasion. That said, I have probably used it 10 times over 10 years. As far as the stethoscope... I would get what you want. I can't really see how the school can force you to buy a specific stethoscope, IMO. It sounds like more of a recommendation, rather than a requirement. I bought the Littman Master Cardiology (which only has 1 side) and I love it. I found it easier to use when I was in school. I bought it 11 years ago and it is still like new. It is pricey... but has been wealth worth the cost and deals with wear and tear pretty well, not to mention the quality. Buy what you want with the idea you will be using it long term! When mine plays out (IF it ever does)... I will go for the same type again!! Good luck!!

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