Stethoscope for Clinicals

Snwbdr · Dec 9, 2009

IMO it's better to get the best one you can afford for school.....it's really important to be able to distinguish between the different types of sounds.....I have the Littman Cardio III and LOVE it....

MERRYWIDOW46 · Dec 9, 2009

Every student can not afford a Littman Cardiology III, and not knowing what area you want to practice in following graduation that is a HUGE investment. Littman is an EXCELLANT brand and has a wide variety of scopes. I am a cardiac nurse and have used a Cardiology III since 1987. However, they make some good basic models for about $35. Go to a store and look at them try them on and see what works for you. Later you can invest $200 for a good scope depending where you are working. Good Luck.

sophie<3 · Dec 9, 2009

well i hope to be a NICU nurse after i graduate but that may be later on down the line. right now i have a Littman Lightweight..i got it for 40$ through my school and they said that was basically all i would need but i feel like i can't really hear anything with it! i don't THINK i have any issues with hearing but it may just be that i don't know what i am suppossed to be listening for. i was thinking of waiting but some people tell me that it is important to have a nice one in school while you are learning..which means i would get a better one and then after grad maybe have to buy ANOTHER if i were to get a NICU job.

shrimpchips, LPN · Dec 9, 2009

I have the Littmann Classic II S.E., which is a "step above" the Lightweight and I love mine. Definitely worth the money and I can definitely distinguish between sounds with it. Got it for $74.93 (or maybe it was $73.94, I honestly can't remember!) from http://www.reddingmedical.com, which includes both tax & S&H. That was the cheapest price I found both online and from in store ($84 in store + tax = $90-something...)

Nursingstudent2188 · Dec 9, 2009

I have the Littmann Classic II S.E., which is a "step above" the Lightweight and I love mine. Definitely worth the money and I can definitely distinguish between sounds with it. Got it for $74.93 (or maybe it was $73.94, I honestly can't remember!) from www.reddingmedical.com, which includes both tax & S&H. That was the cheapest price I found both online and from in store ($84 in store + tax = $90-something...)

I also have the Classic II S.E. I don't have any problems with it. I did have trouble hearing at first, but it was just because I didn't know what I was listening for. I got mine at our bookstore...it was 90 dollars...i think.

CuriousMe · Dec 9, 2009

I have a Cardiac III which is very likely a better steth than I need. My theory was that once I'm an experienced nurse I'll know what I'm listening for....right now, I want to hear everything I can, and easily. It seemed like a good investment and I've had no regrets.

I couldn't afford this the first term though (first term books are a killer in my program!!) and used an Adscope for the first two terms. It was like $10 - $15 and it was fine for BP's and such.....however, comparing what I can hear (heart & lung sounds, etc) between the two...the Cardio III is astounding!

Do some of your friends have different kinds of steths? If so, try them out and see what you like...

So, short answer I suppose is....get the best steth you can afford.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 9, 2009

Moved to the Nursing Stethoscope forum

AirforceRN, RN · Dec 10, 2009

I believe that a Classic II SE is the best steth you can get while you are a student. If you want to "go big" once you specialize that's fine but buying a cardio III or an electronic steth right away is like buying a porshe to take a driver's test.

CuriousMe · Dec 10, 2009

I believe that a Classic II SE is the best steth you can get while you are a student. If you want to "go big" once you specialize that's fine but buying a cardio III or an electronic steth right away is like buying a porshe to take a driver's test.

Interesting analogy....I kind of feel like it's the inverse of stethoscopes though. A Porsche takes more driving skill to control....not a good choice for beginners.

A better quality steth, makes it easier for a beginner to hear what they need to hear.

AirforceRN, RN · Dec 10, 2009

Interesting analogy....I kind of feel like it's the inverse of stethoscopes though. A Porsche takes more driving skill to control....not a good choice for beginners.
A better quality steth, makes it easier for a beginner to hear what they need to hear.

To an extent I agree. Buying a fantastic steth to begin with also poses its own problems. Its difficult to hear "decreased at bases" with a steth that amplifies lung sounds everywhere. Its also difficult (sometimes) to hear S1S2 over breath sounds with an expensive steth. Expensive steths are great for hearing fine crackes, S3S4, murmurs and the like but are overkill for bps, basic lung sounds and heart sounds.

My end point is basically this...if you have the cash for a great steth, by all means buy what you want. If you can only afford a classic IISE however, don't feel that you aren't getting the whole experience. It is more then adequate for school needs.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 13, 2009

I got through school with a Littmann Select and a GRX CD-27. The CD-27 was the better of the two...but by no means was I struggling with the Littmann Select.

I agree with AirforceRN: a too-powerful steth may make it hard for a beginner to sort out what sounds they're looking for. But if you have your heart set on a Cardiology III and can afford it, by all means, treat yourself...but at the same time, you're not going to suffer one bit if you get a II SE or even one of the lesser Littmanns.

Though I do recommend test-driving any steth if you can first. What one nurse considers a horrible steth, another nurse will swear by.