Nursing Students General Students
Published Dec 8, 2014
I've been looking on Allheart.com and seeing a lot of expensive stethoscopes. What is really necessary for nursing school?
icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN
1,970 Posts
True story: so I have the best stethoscope I have ever owned and every day an MD asked to borrow it and one day I caught him walking out the door with it
around his neck and he was irritated when I asked him nicely to give it back. The next day he asked to borrow it -everybody does - but I gave him an isolation stethoscope and said sorry I am using it myself right now. So whatever you choose keep it close. I had one new littman for an hour set it down by my clipboard and it was stolen. If you have a sincere desire to be a cardiac nurse and know heart sounds rubs and murmurs and you want to be confident when you report and chart that assessment buy the best stethoscope that you can afford. Dont skimp on buying good shoes either.
kristajaye
50 Posts
I have 2 different scopes from Prestige Medical. One is a Clinical I & the other is a Clear Sound. I love them both. They each retail for around $40. I have had other nurses on the floor borrow my Clinical I and they all commented how much they liked it. I love the soft silicone eartips. They make a huge difference when you need to count or listen for a while. I am not a fan of hard plastic ear tips on any scope.
bostonnrshpfl
57 Posts
@bemymoment I love that color!! I'm hoping to start in January- how about you?
Mainergal2000
206 Posts
I had a Littman and they only have a 2 year warranty. I now have an MDF, they have a lifetime warranty. I prefer that over a Littman, better acoustic's to me.
BUZSAWYER1950
3 Posts
I can tell you right now, some people who made "contributions" to this
thread, are not going to like what I have to say. Folks, I have been
in the practice of medicine for 37 years, and before that, I was a
Certified Respiratory Therapist. I tool the Merck - Rabin auscultation
course. I learned auscultation from the undisputed best-in-the-World,
W. Proctor Harvey. One thing I will say here, is that I notice things.
Like, for one, the HUGE LITTMANN logo at the top of the site page.
Come on !!! You people are doing a very passable job of pushing
Mr. and Mrs. Littmann.
Okay. Let's give David Littmann his due, RIGHT ? Littmann devised a nice,
compact 'scope for everyday use, that would fit into a lab coat pocket,
and was not very heavy. It was the Model 2100. Now, 44 years ago, when
I purchased my first 2100, they were twenty buck, plus sales tax. Now, twenty-
five years ago, 3M modified the 2100 slightly, to give us a flexible diaphragm.
And, they gave us a nicer, " squishy " eartip, which, arguably provided a better
ear seal. However, at the EXACT same time, they created a Cardiology scope,
which they told us, or at least, insinuated, was a scope for studying the human
heart. And, it was expensive. Let's not quibble, here. You got 25 per/cent more
sound, due to the better ear canal seal. But, the chest-piece ? Totally the same
acoustics.
Then, they made a " Master Cardiology" model, which, let's be utterly fair, was
a better acoustic scope, but was, and let's keep polite, here.....INSANELY EXPENSIVE.
Now, in this same 44 year history, I have owned them ALL. Nobody has put a nickel
in my jeans, to cheerlead for anyone, especially 3M / LITTMANN.
Let us clear the air, here. Yes, Littmann makes a pretty rugged unit, in their basic
models. But, for 40 per/cent less money, you can purchase the SAME EXACT technology,
with the same, exact warranty support, in a few less color choices. Do you really want to
pay a ton of money for KUMQUAT ? Let's all get real. Okay ?
If you are committed to spending a lot of money for a HIGH QUALITY unit, that TOTALLY
delivers a sound quality and sound quantity, that you have paid for, AND, a rugged build
that will stand the test of time, and some abuse, I recommend the HEINE GAMMA series. It's a German made stethoscope, and it's a heck of a rugged, and accurate line of equipment.
Like I said, NO ONE is paying me a fee, or any compensation for touting anything.
But, a lot of people have read my " TOP TEN " on e-BAY. And many of them agree.
You want to pay 150 - plus dollars for a great scope ? I do recommend :
NUMBER ONE: HEINE GAMMA SERIES
NUMBER TWO: THE WELCH ALLYN HARVEY SERIES
Both.....are worth the high price they demand for their equipment.
All I ask, is that before you pour dollars into 3-M's cash register, TRY THESE TWO
before you make a commitment to buy a product that is mostly (a) market penetration, and (b) color variety.
Thanks,
Buz
Kristajaye: Hey. I have purchased several Prestige scopes for gifts to
pro Nursing students, and qualified Nurse Techs.....and they were very
fine, super-high-quality scopes. No regrets !!!!! ( Please read my comments
below. Thank you !!! )
berrymoment: Please: read my comment, below. Way, way, below. Take it
seriously.