Stethoscope

avaloncar, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2013

If you can't right now don't even bother. I personally believe if you can hear well and it has a bell and diaphragm, you are set.

In the future you can splurge. But it's up to you.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 2, 2013

If you can't right now don't even bother. I personally believe if you can hear well and it has a bell and diaphragm, you are set.
In the future you can splurge. But it's up to you.

I agree! If you aren't having trouble, don't spend the money just to say you have a Littman.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 2, 2013

I'd have to agree with the above posts. If you can hear what you need to with your current stethoscope, keep using it. It's more important that you be able to know what you're listening for rather than having an expensive, high performance stethoscope that can hear a mouse toot from across the room and still not know what you're listening for.

I own and use a couple Littmann stethoscopes. My favorite is a Cardiology III and my backup is a Littmann Light. Most of the time I'd be perfectly content with a $12 dual head unit or a $4 single head unit... but those are way less comfortable to use. People I've worked with over the years have used many different "off brand" stethoscopes and have really liked them.

My advice is truly this simple: if you like what you've got and it works for you, keep using it. There's not much need to upgrade if you really don't need to.

Wyrm74 · Jun 2, 2013

If you can hear what you need to, don't worry about it. I had to invest in a Littman to hear adequately, but you might be different. I didn't really want to spend $100 on a stethoscope, but I will have it for years so it was an investment.

ambitiousBSN · Jun 2, 2013

My program is requiring us to have a Littmann Classic II. I have one already as I have worked in health care for over six years, but I'm upgrading to a Cardiology III, but keeping my Classic II as a back-up. When I first started working six years ago, I had one of those dual-tubed steths, and while it worked well and did its purpose, you can definitely tell a difference between a dual and a Littmann. They don't say "Littmann quality" for nothing! :-)

But like others have said, if you can afford the investment, I'd recommend a Littmann above all. :-)

ames86 · Jun 2, 2013

I used an off brand for my first half of nursing school and I found that I could hear, for the most part, everything I need. I did have some trouble hearing on people who were heavy. I forgot my stethoscope one time (I know very bad) and used a friends Littman and I knew I had to have one. The sounds was so different and clear, I decided I wanted one. I have just invested in a littman classic II, I love it!

smoup · Jun 2, 2013

Another whose college is requiring a Littmann Classic II. Since I have no idea of the difference, and don't have a choice, I've found these threads useful to know that I'm going to be getting a good item. Now if there weren't so many colors to chose from . . . .

ilovemythreeguys · Jun 3, 2013

Thank you all!!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 3, 2013

Now that it's been mentioned... those things do come in so many different colors. With some models, the choices can be almost overwhelming.

ilovemythreeguys · Jun 3, 2013

Now that it's been mentioned... those things do come in so many different colors. With some models the choices can be almost overwhelming. [/quote']
I've been checking them out and there's a really cute one with a rainbow finish on the bell. So cute!