Stethoscope?

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I will be starting Nursing 1 this summer and we need to purchase a stethoscope....was wondering if anyone can recommend a brand and what is the difference between the single & double tubing? Thanks in advance!!

For Christmas last year one of my friends, who is a nurse, sent me a Prestige Clinical I stethoscope with purple tubing. It's the same one she uses at work and she said it's less likely to walk because it isn't black. The really cool part was the fact that she had the box signed by our favorite singer! So, not only do I have a really thoughtful and useful gift of a stethoscope before I even start nursing school, but I have a personalized message from my favorite grammy award winning musical artist!

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In nursing school and during research you're bound to hear the term "Gold standard" tossed around a fair bit. Here is a good start...

In nursing, Littmann is the gold standard for stethoscopes.

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Okay just nervous that I got the wrong stethescope. I got a Littman Cardiology III and I want to know what everyone thinks about it. Several people have commented on the Classic II SE, what are the differences? Do you think that as long as it is a Littman it is good?

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JBRN2B, the Cardiology III is a step up from the classic IISE. It features a double lumen which the II does not and better overall acoustics. It's a really good steth so don't worry. Just be sure to keep an eye on it at all times. Think about having your name engraved on it or something. Its too expensive to lose this early in your career.

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Sorry, yes silly me how about how a Cardiology III compares to the Master Cardiology? Oh I did get it engraved. Also I got it in black and have heard that is the most likely color to "disappear".

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Littman

Agreed.. Mater Cardiology if you want to dish out the bucks for it. Far better than any base model stethoscope though. Worth the money. Consider it an investment.

And if you really want to dish out the doe, get one of the new electronic ones. I hear they're really awesome.

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I have a dumb question as I am not in school yet. I do own a cheapy stethescope (omron) but don't know what the purpose of the bell is. Would someone be able to explain it? Thanks.

The bell is for hearing low pitched tones and the diaphragm is for hearing high sounds.

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Does the nursing program provide all that stuff,like scrubs and stethoscope.I know we have to provide our own shoes.just curious.

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Ever since I bought my Littman back in nursing school, I won't go with any other brand. The only problem I see is when other people steal your scope. Littmans get to be expensive when you're replacing stolen scopes.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.
Agreed.. Mater Cardiology if you want to dish out the bucks for it. Far better than any base model stethoscope though. Worth the money. Consider it an investment.

And if you really want to dish out the doe, get one of the new electronic ones. I hear they're really awesome.

I had the new littman ambient noise reduction steth. I sold it on e-bay. I couldn't get used to it. I didn't feel it reduced noise at all. It was SO sensitive I heard everything BUT what I was trying to hear. I hear better out of my littman classic II than I did the electric one. Now I'm just waiting until after christmas to invest in the master cardiology littmann. (I finish orientation to the CCU Dec 26- so good timing)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Does the nursing program provide all that stuff,like scrubs and stethoscope.I know we have to provide our own shoes.just curious.

I don't know any school that provides stuff like that.

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.

I used a sprague for quite a while as an EMT. When I was accepted to nursing school I treated myself to a Littmann Cardiology III. I Love it. I can't believe how much better I can hear. Not only is the chest piece very high quality, the cardiology III has a double lumen tube. The ear pieces are very comfortable and ALWAYS give you a nice seal.

I see people in class struggling with CHEAPY stethoscopes. I know of at least two people that FAILED the BP skills assessment because they didn't have a quality stethoscope. Don't sell yourself short. Make the investment into a quality piece of equipment. A quality stethoscope is something you will use for years.

akspudus

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