stethoscope for nursing student

LexiRN2 · Dec 2, 2011

I used a cheap stethoscope in nursing school because I often left them places. I waited until I started working to get a nice expensive littmann stethoscope. I did just fine with the cheap stethoscopes personally... and color doesn't really matter. My school gave us bp cuffs which were primarily used for practicing.

belgarion · Dec 2, 2011

AllNurses.com has a nice selection at decent prices. I used a Littman 3000 because I spent too many years working in noisy environments.

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2011

Most people in my program had the Littmann classic 2. I think it works pretty well, and definitely worth the little extra $$ compared to the cheap double lumen stethoscopes. As for color, they make that style in numerous colors. I have always heard that a color is better because it is more unique than black, and thus harder to jack. I bought mine online, and the site included free engraving of initials. I have been using it for 2 years, and am going to continue to use it as I transition to practice. We didn't have to buy a BP cuff. Good Luck!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2011

AllNurses.com has a nice selection at decent prices. I used a Littman 3000 because I spent too many years working in noisy environments.

Do you mean Allheart.com? Allnurses doesn't sell products.

I used a Littmann Master classic while in school. I bought it through a school sale, but they placed the order through a Littmann catalog. It's a great quality stethoscope and now I use it at my job. It's lasted nearly five year. Do yourself a favor and invest in a nice littmann. It will last you years and you'll get great quality sound. Many of the cheap stehoscopes don't give you good sound transmission and make it hard to differentiate sounds and location.

For color, just pick your favorite. It's something that you'll have for awhile and you want to like it. I choose a light blue for mine, which I still like, but it's rather common. I kind of wish I had chosen white, since it's more unique and would match with all my scrubs. :-)

meghan91 · Dec 2, 2011

thanks everyone! i think i am just going to invest in a good one and that way i will have it for a long time. between the littmann cardi ii, iii and ii master which do you think is the best?

if you have had any of these and have some pros and cons about them i would love to hear your opinions since i am not to experienced with stethoscope quality yet and the differences between them.

have any of you used acrylic stethoscopes (the ones with the clear chest peice)? someone told me they get the best sound but im not so sure of that.

meghan91 · Dec 2, 2011

Do you mean Allheart.com? Allnurses doesn't sell products.
I used a Littmann Master classic while in school. I bought it through a school sale, but they placed the order through a Littmann catalog. It's a great quality stethoscope and now I use it at my job. It's lasted nearly five year. Do yourself a favor and invest in a nice littmann. It will last you years and you'll get great quality sound. Many of the cheap stehoscopes don't give you good sound transmission and make it hard to differentiate sounds and location.
For color, just pick your favorite. It's something that you'll have for awhile and you want to like it. I choose a light blue for mine, which I still like, but it's rather common. I kind of wish I had chosen white, since it's more unique and would match with all my scrubs. :-)

i am going to just go ahead and buy a good stethoscope that way i will have it and i am goin to be using it for 3 years while in school so i mind as well have a good one and one i like. white would be such a different color to have as a stethoscope and your right it would match everything. i tried looking to see what a white one would look like but i cant see to find any.

LexiRN2 · Dec 2, 2011

If you go to a scrub store that sells stethoscopes they'll let you check out all of them and you can take a listen yourself to see what works for you.

AJPV · Dec 2, 2011

I got the Littmann classic - it has been great. Seems like the cardio ones are a litttle over the top (and a lot more expensive) for students. You might have to be a cardiologist or have many years of cardiac nursing experience to appreciate any differences. I bought a BP cuff during school orientation because the sales rep made it sound like we would need/want it - but it was honestly a waste of money (unless you just want to be able to take BP's for family/friends at home).

belgarion · Dec 2, 2011

Do you mean Allheart.com? Allnurses doesn't sell products.

You're right, my bad. That's what happens when I try to type in my sleep.

keepmovingrn · Dec 10, 2011

I started out using a littmans classic II in LPN school in 2002 and I still used that same stethoscope for work presently(9 yrs). I say invest in a littmans they last forever and you can hear everything clearly, without any questions.

I just found out I was accepted into the LPN to RN bridge program starting in January so I just purchased the littmans cardiology III(black brass, special edition). It was pricey but I know its well worth the money.

Also I bought mine online for $159.00 that included the shipping. I when to the local uniform shop and they wanted $209.00 for it. You can find better deals on them online.

susiel88 · Dec 10, 2011

i am going to just go ahead and buy a good stethoscope that way i will have it and i am goin to be using it for 3 years while in school so i mind as well have a good one and one i like. white would be such a different color to have as a stethoscope and your right it would match everything. i tried looking to see what a white one would look like but i cant see to find any.

I had the issue of getting a stethoscope in a color that I thought I would like lots, bought it online and I didn't really like it as much as I thought. Thank goodness my mom is good at knitting, :yeah: she makes me stethoscope covers in any color so that I can change them up often and it can match my scrubs. She has made quite a few for my fellow nursing students She sells the rest on etsy.