stethoscope

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I am attending nursing school in fall and need a decent dual bell stethoscope. I hear that the more expensive ones work much better. I am looking to spend around $70. I know Littmann is a good brand but there are so many i am not sure which one to choose. I'll just be starting nursing school so should i purchase one on the cheaper side or just "splurge" on a nicer one. Also, please include websites/vendors of where you recommend i purchase one.

Thank you.

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Specializes in ICU.

If you do a quick search on the site, you'll find TONS of threads on this. From what I've read, the littman Classic II S.E. and Cardiology III are the most recommended here. I'm also starting in te Fall so I don't have much experience, but I went with the Classic II S.E. you can get it online for about $85 after shipping and everything. I got mine from medisave.net... They do FREE engraving, usually have some sort of percent off special, and the shipping was super fast! Check it out!

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Specializes in CRNA.

Every one that I have had has been a Littman Classic II. Very good stethoscope. I believe I purchased mine at stethoscope.com.

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If you do a quick search on the site you'll find TONS of threads on this. From what I've read, the littman Classic II S.E. and Cardiology III are the most recommended here. I'm also starting in te Fall so I don't have much experience, but I went with the Classic II S.E. you can get it online for about $85 after shipping and everything. I got mine from medisave.net... They do FREE engraving, usually have some sort of percent off special, and the shipping was super fast! Check it out![/quote']

I got the Littman Classic II from this site and they were veey easy to work with. I like the free engraving because you can get your name on it (harder for it to walk away from you during clinicals), and the site also has a rewards point system where you get a certain number of points per dollar spent, which you can then use towards another purchase.

I highly recommend the Littman Classic. It is what a couple of my aunts are/have used through their entire nursing career, and my cousin also used it as he was studying for his PharmD. The Cardiology is also nice, but I went with the Classic based on the recommendations I received from family members.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I got my Littman Classic SE II for $65. It's great! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The Classic II SE and the Lightweight II SE would both be decent for you to use. My own primary stethoscope is a Cardiology III, but my backup is a Littmann Light. That one is no longer made, but it's basically a lightweight version of the II SE, but without the tunable diaphragm. I suspect that the Lightweight II SE is quite a bit better than a very basic stethoscope that you can get for about $12...

The main thing is that you need to be able to hear what you're listening for, not necessarily all the very subtle things. For what you're looking to spend, there should be a LOT of options! Given a choice, I'd likely choose the Classic II SE because you'll be able to use it for quite a long time in just about any nursing field you find yourself.

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Thank you all!! That helps a lot.

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If I could go back I wouldn't spend the $70 I did on my Littmann scope, as a nursing student you are doing very basic auscultation and the cheap scopes do fine. I use the cheap disposable stethoscopes on isolation patients at work and yes, they are a bit rattlier on contact with the skin but they get the job done. I'm not a cardiologist or anything.

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I recommend you bring a friend and a sphygmometer to a local shop and try out the classic II se and cardiology iii.

Test your ears to make a better informed decision.

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I have a littmann just the basic one it's great! I think it's the Classic II

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I like Littmann Classic II but I prefer the Cardiology III which is about 139-160. I can tell the difference with cheap stethoscopes I use at work when I forget mine.

Black Friday is a great day to order online. That is the best discounts. Another time is during Nursing Week.

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