STETHOSCOPE HELP

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Hi all!

I'm starting my nursing career next month through a new grad program and will either be placed in med surge/telemetry or step down unit. I want to invest in a good stethoscope and need suggestions.

Thanks all :)

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Please invest in the best stethoscope you can. I would recommend the EM Littman Classic III or the Master Classic II. You can buy these on Amazon. There are lots of interesting reviews and comparisons of the different stethoscopes to help you decide. The cost of the stethoscope is a tax deduction.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I bought a Littman Cardiology III twelve years ago and it's still working beautifully. Only scope I've ever had to purchase.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I bought a Littman Cardiology III twelve years ago and it's still working beautifully. Only scope I've ever had to purchase.

You can never go wrong with a Littman. I've had the same one for 17 years except when it went missing after a car accident. Some kind soul at the wrecking yard mailed it back to me weeks later. It had been in the rain and the diaphragm was cracked. That's when I found out that Littmans are guaranteed for life. I mailed the scope to them and they refurbished it with a new headpiece and mailed it back for free. Plus they come in a variety of styles and prices - Do not be fooled by cheap imitations.

Hppy

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Littmann all the way! If you're planning on doing mostly physical assessments and monitoring, their Classic III is the way to go, otherwise if you're going to be doing more detailed diagnostic auscultation, the Card IV is a good choice! =)

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Thank you for your input, i appreciate it :)

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Littmann cardiology seems to be the top 1 choice. However if you are on a budget and don't need to do hardcore cardiology auscultations then a classi 2 is also a good choice.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I would honestly just get a classic Littmann. Nothing fancy like the cardiology one or the master classic. You aren't going to appreciate the difference 99% of the time, if at all. Besides, stethoscopes get lost...a lot. I wouldnt recommend that you invest more than you need to right now.

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You can never go wrong with a Littman. I've had the same one for 17 years except when it went missing after a car accident. Some kind soul at the wrecking yard mailed it back to me weeks later. It had been in the rain and the diaphragm was cracked. That's when I found out that Littmans are guaranteed for life. I mailed the scope to them and they refurbished it with a new headpiece and mailed it back for free. Plus they come in a variety of styles and prices - Do not be fooled by cheap imitations.

Hppy

When I started nursing school clinicals, I used my dad's old Littmann from from med school 25 years prior!! The sound quality was still much better than many of my friends' discount student scopes.

Just make sure you get a distinguishable tubing color, get it engraved or add a tag, and watch it like a hawk to ensure it doesn't wander off...

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Specializes in ICU.

I have had my Littman Classic II for 8 years and have never had an issue with it. I think I paid 160 when I first got it. I see so many physicians using the disposable precautions/contact stethoscopes. You don't need anything robust to start. If you decide after a few years you want to upgrade, do so then.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I work a cardiac heavy icu and recently switched from a Littman classic ii to the cardiology iv and am really happy with that decision.

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