What kind of Stethoscope do you have?

2011nursetobe · Sep 15, 2011

I have a cheap Prestige one that is lightweight and I can actually hear better out of it then a Littman and the more expensive Prestige's. Its very odd b/c most people hear better out of Littmans. I would suggest going to a scrub store and actually TRYING different ones. Bring along a buddy to listen to! I actually bought a different color of the one I used in nursing school (same stethoscope, different color), but I prefer my faded pink one I used during school b/c I can hear everything through it!

stoberto · Sep 15, 2011

You definitely don't have to spend 100$, there are lots of cheaper ones...but if you are going to be career RN it's kind of nice to have 1 or 2 nice ones.

foreverLaur · Sep 15, 2011

I have the Littmann Cardiology III as well. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Littmann Classic is a great stethoscope as well for a lower price tag. I never went with the Master series (without the bell) because I work with the younger population and find it very useful to have the bell.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

I have a Littman Classic II se, mostly because my mother wanted to buy me something "nursey" for finishing nursing school... I like it, but the best part about it is that it is very light and very comfy in the ears.

I used a $11 hot pink sprague in nursing school, which I still have and occasionally use - I can hear fine with it, but it is heavy and if the tubing rubs on anything it makes a lot of noise. Can't beat the price, and you can hear anything you need to hear with it. And, no one will steal it. And if they do, well, it only cost $11.

Back in EMS training - I used a green one that I think cost $8 - still have that one too, but couldn't use it for nursing school because it doesn't have a bell...

lilmith · Sep 15, 2011

check out cheroke4less.com for cheap steth and an additional 20% off. i got my littmann electronics steth for $270.

KentechRN · Sep 15, 2011

I use a Littmann classic that I recently purchased. I like having the bell side and the tunable diaphgragm and I definitely hear a difference between it and my old prestige medical stethoscope from school. I think it's worth the investment especially if you're having trouble hearing and differentiating breath sounds.

CrimsonAlchemist · Sep 15, 2011

i have a littman classic ii that i got from my cousin and a prestige medical one. not sure which. it came in a kit that my school's bookstore was selling.

this may sound odd, but i actually like it better than my littman. it's bright red(so i can't lose it!!), and has sturdy double tubing. it came with extra diaphragms and multiple sized bells. imho it also has a better sound than the expensive littman!!!

it also came with soft and hard ear pieces.

it came in a kit with a multi color pen, pen light, funny looking scissors, pupil gauge, and a neat little pocket holder insert thingie to carry all this stuff. and the entire set was just $20!!

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Littman classic II, works great

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 18, 2011

I use the same cheap one I've had since school and I graduated almost 30 years ago (yikes!). I hear everything with it.

sbostonRN · Sep 18, 2011

I have a Littmann Classic II and it's just OK. It was given to me as a gift from my boss when I started nursing school and I like it, but I still have trouble with apicals and breath sounds, so I don't think it's the best thing out there. I have a sprague too and have never used it...maybe I"ll try that for a little while.

LPNnowRN · Sep 22, 2011

Started out with a Littman Classic II during school and after graduation my Mom and Dad bought me a Cardiac III. I let everyone use it to hear the difference!! Awesome.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

I HAVE a Littman Cardiology III. (Can't hear a thing) I USE a $15 one I got at Walmart. Metal bell, looks great, I can hear a mouse whisper.