Stethoscope

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Starting nursing school in the fall. What is the best stethoscope? What makes it better than others?

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

Stets. are funny, what works for some are terrible for others, so I would recommend you to go to a uniform/supply store, and test them out, hearing yourself, and see which one you hear the best with.

Some do great with the Litman classic, those are good and they cost around 50 dollars, now if you have money to spend, I would recommend a cardiollogy II which runs a bit over 100 but are really nice... you don't need much to begin, so take that in consideration as well!!

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I was thinking of ordering the cardiology III.

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Make sure your school doesn't provide them for you. My school does. We get our whole kit of things we need at orientation.

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I think the Littmann Cardiology III is the best all around. I love the way it looks and the fact that it has a peds side you can use for peds/special circumstances, or turn the peds side into a traditional bell. It is just so versatile. I love it so much I have three! (some place online was having a major sale one time, so I bought an extra black and one burgundy). I also have a Master Classic II I received as a gift, but I don't care as much about it.

You will see a lot of nurses with rather cheap stethoscopes. Some nurses just don't use them enough care as much about having a high quality one. A lot of it has to do with the fact that they will be ripped off if you don't leave them on your person 24/7. Doctors will even ask to borrow yours and try to make off with it, usually unintentionally. Just consider yourself forewarned, people love to steal them. I personally haven't had a problem, but I do everything in my power to prevent people from borrowing them and I never leave them laying around.

In terms of quality, I think the dual tube spragues you see a lot are junk, but some people like them. They say the tubes rub together and this adds to the interference in hearing the correct sounds. Plus, most of them are too long. The recommendation to doctors is to have a single thick tube that is shorter than longer. The Cardiology III has exactly what they say makes a perfect stethoscope. Just be sure to pick the 22" version. Don't be surprised if you see some RNs with the Master Cardiolgy as well. This is a nice looking stethoscope with an ergonomic design and a cool adapter feature. The only thing is, I feel it is probably overkill and it does weigh a bit more. Heck, you'll even see some doctors using cheaper Littmanns than the Cardiology III, so it's all relative.

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Thanks, I am ordering the Cardiology III today.

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I used my Pell Grant money to purchase a Lit Cardio III. I passed LPN school and worked for 2 years, still using my Littman. Never left it in a pt room, never had it "disappear" when an MD was around. Two nights ago it was stolen from my car! I am an IDIOT!:eek:! The jerk who stole it also took my $10 sunglasses, so I am SURE the thief has no idea of it's value! Get something good but inexpensive! You will surely need a few more during your nursing career.

Only thing more priceless than my Littman are my favorite nursing shoes!:clown:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

moved to the stethoscope forum

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I have been using a Littmann Classic II S.E. throughout nursing school. It's great! Of course, I'm ready for an upgrade :) The next one I'm eyeing is a Littmann Cardiology III.

Just make sure you guard your Littmann with your life, those things tend to grow legs and walk away :(

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