Stethoscopes for a new nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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I am getting ready to enter nursing school. Before I buy a stethoscope, I wanted to get some feedback on a good brand or a specific type to look for. Any advice would be appreciated!:)

Specializes in LTC/Peds/ICU/PACU/CDI.
originally posted by ernurse752

the littman classic ii se or whatever it's called is good...

i have the littman cardiology iii and really like it. i can hear even more than the classic ii, although it's a little heavier.

but be forewarned...if you get a littman, never let it out of your sight or it will never return to you. seems they grow legs...;)

http://www.littman.com

the above url has a "n" missing in littmann & you'll unfortunately go to a different site :eek:...try using this url instead: http://www.3m.com/market/healthcare/littmann/home.html

this is a great site to learn the differences between several littmann stethoscopes...they even have various heart sounds to boot!:roll

also try this url link if you want to see a variety of littmann stethoscopes...http://www.stethoscope.com/cgi-bin/3mlink1.cfm or http://www.hmponline.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&did=10&catid=9&objectgroup_id=54&af_id=1 both sites are endorsed by the littmann company...good luck - moe :kiss

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I have had a Littmann for years, just wanted to comment on the warranty. I sent mine in after I had owned it around six years ( it was stiff and stuck in a bent position) they replaced the diaphram, tubing, earpieces and cleaned it....all at no cost. Then they extended my warranty by two years. You can't beat that.

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Originally posted by lgcv

( it was stiff and stuck in a bent position) they replaced the diaphram, tubing, earpieces and cleaned it....all at no cost.

This is EXACTLY what mine is doing!!! Ummmmmm....wonder what it would cost if I don't have mine under warranty? (yes, I know, I know...bad girl).

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There are raised dots under the diaphram, this allows them to determine how old it is and if it is still under warranty. (I never sent my warranty in either.) Just send it to them they will fix it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

The cheapest place that I have seen to buy Littmanns is http://www.reddingmedical.com Great customer service! I purchased my Cardiology III for 115.98 plus S&H and tax!

A question for you lgcv? What kind of Littmann do you have? My Cardio III is under warranty for 5 years.

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

I got replacement tubing at http://www.allheart.com for a Classic II SE that I had for about 30 bucks. I think though that http://www.reddingmedical.com is cheaper. Both sites have all parts for all Littmanns.

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kakurse

I have a master cardiology.

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I had a Littman lightweight stethoscope in nursing school. The tubing has become stiff and it is really hard to hear with it now, 3 years later. I recently went to the website http://www.stethoscope.com. They have a really good deal on their Magna Cartis Cardiascopes. $59.95, includes free engraving, a penlight and a fanny pack. I bought one and love it. Oh, and they even sent me extra tubing. It is a little heavier than my old Littman, but acoustics are much better. If you do go with Littman, the cardiology scopes are much better than the lightweights, but pretty expensive, around $130.00.:)

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That website was http://www.stethoscopes.com with an "s" after stethoscopes. Sorry.

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As a nurse for many years, I now use a Littman! Love it! Best scope you can get! While I was in nursing school, I used a double sprauge long length stethoscope. It worked for me since being "green" in the field, easy to hear w/it, came with all of the bells, I found the longer length easier to use when assesing your patient!

Good luck to all new students!:)

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

For school a $9.00 one from the uniform store. I think it was red.

First few years the low end littman.

Then NIRVANA!!!! I bought A Littman Cardiology!!!! You can hear a gnat batting his eyelashes with this one.

BUT NEVER LEND IT TO ANYONE, EVER, EVER!!!!! It will be gone in a heartbeat.

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I have a littman too--a master cardiology--I originally bought it when I was working in ICU. I love it, but have to watch the docs who want to borrow your "ears" and forget to return them. One of our docs ended up with several in his truck (some of the other nurses and our floor scopes) I wear a scope sock on mine so it is easily distinguished if it gets borrowed.

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