Stethoscopes?

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I am starting nursing school in the fall & was trying to decide what stethscope to get.. Littmann Master Cardiology or Littmann Master Classic II? Any suggestions?

Thanks! :D :nurse:

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Specializes in Oncology.

I got the master classic!

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

Go with the Littmann Lightweight or the Littmann Master Classic II. I have both, both work equally great. I use the Littmann Master Classic II at work but only because it was a gift and I like the way it looks (solid black).

& Congrats on getting into nursing school! Best of luck :)

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Specializes in 1st year Critical Care RN, not CCRN cert.

I have the master cardiology and it is fantastic. Almost makes the heart beat sound like a machine it is so clear.

Well worth the money! Invest in a good labs book, and the nclex-rn by saunders too.

I still need to buy the nclex book. Huge help come hesi time.

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The Master Cardiology is overkill, especially for a nursing student. Save your money and get a Master Classic II. Yes, a master cardiology is great (my brother who is a resident in Cardiology) has one and loves it. But for a nursing student it really isn't worth the extra money...

Really there is no reason you shouldn't be able to hear everything you should be able to hear with a master classic. I've used it as an EMT, and continue to use it as a student nurse. It's not that expensive, so if you lose it or get it stolen it's not a major loss like the master cardiology.

The Littman Class II is also a great stethoscope, most of the people at my program use it. The reason it's great, especially for new nurses is the fact that it has a dedicated diaphragm and bell, unlike the master classic. I've found many people don't understand how to use the tunable diaphragm of the master classic properly. But once you get the hang of it, it's a great stethoscope.

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Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

Ultrascope!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Sprague stethoscopes are inexpensive and work well enough for nursing school and working as a nurse too, especially if you're prone to losing things like I am. They come in lots of colors too, as well as in a couple of lengths. I've had 4 of them.

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Specializes in Oncology.

& if you go to certain websites, you can get it engraved for free! I did, forgot the website tho :(

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Specializes in NICU.

We weren't allowed anything except for sprague stethoscopes in nursing school. Everyone who had went out and bought a fancy one was pretty disappointed. The instructors reasoning was that we didn't know how to use them yet. I'm not quite sure why it mattered so much to them....

I have a Littman Neonatal now : )

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I am starting nursing school in the fall & was trying to decide what stethscope to get.. Littmann Master Cardiology or Littmann Master Classic II? Any suggestions?

Thanks! :D :nurse:

Whichever Littman you buy, make sure to keep the box and receipt. 3M will warranty your stethescope, I had an issue with mine after 2 years, got all the tubing replaced for free and a cleaning job! I really like 3M

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Get a classic. You probably wont even be able to notice the difference in sounds with a Master steth if your just starting out.

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Get a nice MDF scope. Better tone, IMO, and you don't have to fool around with the 'variable pressure' gimmick. Also has lifetime warranty.

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