What kind of stethoscope?

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Starting RN classes with clinicals this January and need to get a stethoscope for the clinicals and labs...What kind should I get and where should I buy it that is a good deal? I was looking at the Littmann ones but do I really need an expensive one or can I do OK with one of the cheaper models? Ebay has the Littmann "lightweight" ones for around $40-50...or do I need a better one? ALL advice appreciated!!! =)

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Specializes in Operating Room.

For nursing students, my teachers just tell us to get the "cheap" ones. I also found this review to be very helpful in deciding what to get: http://www.forusdocs.com/reviews/Acoustic_Stethoscope_Review.htm

I ended up getting the Omron Sprague Rappaport. My school supplies us with those $40-$50 Littmanns for in class use and the quality does not compare with the Omron.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the nursing stethoscope forum

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start cheap until you know what field you may decide to into. Some steths are made for cardiac assessment,others are for general med/surg. I have been nursing for 16 years and still use the one I won at the hospitals fair. So, you know, it wasn't exspensive.

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I heard that the littman lightweight steth is ok, but many Nurses and Medical People shared that the Littman Classic II SE is a bit better one. hence, its a step above the lightweight. :)

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Can't go wrong with Littman I guess. But to be honest I hardly notice the difference between the cheap ones & the high end ones.

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..
Can't go wrong with Littman I guess. But to be honest I hardly notice the difference between the cheap ones & the high end ones.

I'm the same way! I have multiple scopes, and the cheap Spragues sound a lot like my more expensive one (wish I hadn't spent the money on it...).

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