which stethoscope would fit me best in your opinion?

FLmomof5 · Oct 6, 2011

The Littmann Cardiology III is a good stethescope, but far more than you need. The actual question should be what can you afford? If you can afford a Littmann, I would go for it.

As far as colors.....my brother is a nurse. His scope is pink.....why? Because doctors don't steal pink! LOL Mine is a blue-green color....light enough in color that I could take my sharpie and write my name on the tubing....

Flare, ASN, BSN · Oct 6, 2011

Littmann classic II se has served me well for the span of my career. It doesn't come in bright colors, but it's a solid piece of equipment. Nice stethoscopes do have a tendency to walk in hospitals. Whatever you get, make sure it's somehow tagged as yours.

loveslife · Oct 6, 2011

any Littman will do. I would say get it now so you can get used to it while you are in school.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Oct 6, 2011

Littman cardiology 111 is expensive and truly more than you need...Littman has many other less expensive yet really good quality options. Any color will do, just make sure your name is on it :)

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2011

Do what I did...I went to a nursing supply store, and listened to my own heartbeat through a sweater with a variety of scopes. I bought the one I could hear the best with, which was a Littman II. Now, in ICU, I have the cardiology scope in a wild color combo -- if it did walk, I'd spot it if it ever "walked" back into the unit.

lakepapa · Oct 6, 2011

Buy an inexpensive one! Anything that let's you hear breath sounds, bowel sounds and a heartbeat. Anything more than that is a waste of money IMO.

WillowNMe · Oct 6, 2011

I'm a new grad and I love my Littmann Cardiology III... I am on a tele floor.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Oct 6, 2011

hey guys! i am currently a nursing student as a sophmore (i went to a community college for 2 years after highschool to do my gen eds) getting my BSN. Anyway, i currently am trying to get a position as a ER tech at the hospital i currently work for. The techs have their own stethoscopes it seems like but I was looking at stethoscopes and I just dont know which to get.
Everything I read says get a littmann cardiology III. Should I get one like that now or wait until I am an actual nurse haha?
Also which color would you get? i dont really want just plain black but i dont want to seem like the 20year old with the crazy colors who doesnt look like i cant be taken seriously.

I have the Cardiology III. Very fine stethoscope but it is a bit overkill for ER tech work, in my opinion. It is expensive, heavy around the neck and I am always afraid it will "grow legs and run away." The upside, however, is that you can hear EVERYTHING and the two heads make it easy to adapt to adults to pediatrics to newborns (not the preemies though). If I were in your shoes, I would buy a less heavy, less expensive stethoscope. Buy good shoes and Redbull with the money you saved hehe!

foreverLaur · Oct 6, 2011

I bought the Littmann Cardiology III when I started nursing school. I knew it was probably more than I would ever need, but when comparing it to the Classic, it was much better. I plan to use it for my whole career. Plus, I love cardiology and hope to be a NP some day. I found a great deal on it, so it wasn't much more than the Classic. I personally think the splurge is worth it if you can afford it. I have never met a nurse who wishes she would have went cheaper! :) I got it engraved (free when I did it) and mine is burgundy.

Isabelle49 · Oct 6, 2011

I use a Sprague, low cost, multiple bells. When I started out in nursing I had a $149 littman and it was stolen on the job. Not worth it.

kool-aide, RN · Oct 6, 2011

Littmann classic II SE is a good steth. If you're looking for professional colors, I would go with black, navy blue, or gray. Those are power colors! lol Or anything that matches your scrubs is good, too! Myself, I have the bright orange one! lol