What kind of Stethoscope?

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Fellow nursing students- what kind of stethoscope do you use/have you used? I have heard wonderful reviews about Littman's but our clinical instructor suggested starting off with a cheaper one first (and buying a nicer, specialized one after graduation/once you start working on a specific unit). I don't know what kind would be too cheap, but I also don't want to pay a fortune.

I'm looking at ADC, Prestige, and Mabis...but would love any/all suggestions!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I used Prestige throughout my entire year of school..But once I listened to lung sounds through a Littman, I never wanted to go back!Lol.My Prestige did it's job though.

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I have a littman and it cost about 85 bucks.

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Thanks for the feedback! I have definitely heard rave reviews about Littman, and I'm sure I'll get one eventually haha....but after paying for my books/uniforms and all that fun for this first semester, I think I want a lower cost one haha

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I've been thinking about this too... is anyone using any of the MDF (life time warranty) brands?

Thank you.

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I've looked at the MDF Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope, it seems to get pretty good reviews!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Have a littmann master cardiology but I'm also a pre-med for cardiology :p

Get a littmann

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

I suggest the littmann classic 2

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Trauma.

I have the Littman classic 2. My school suggested it, and I LOVE it.

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How cheap? Cause if you can find a classic II for around $50, that's a pretty good investment imo. It will serve you well in nursing school, and, reportedly, will also be sufficient when you start nursing. No need to spend a lot of money on a cardiology as a new nurse- I think it would be overkill.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I pondered this so much before I started nursing school. I read all the reviews, got advice and etc. It was a big deal for me. Now, in my fourth semester of nursing school, I can honestly say: Get what you can afford and move on. The stethoscope you have, provided it is basically functional, will most likely be the least of your worries. I ended up buying a Littman. I like it fine. But some of my classmates have less expensive stethoscopes and they are perfectly content with them. You can always drop the hint for that graduation present...

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Personally, I use a Littmann Cardiology III, but then I've had that one for about 14 years. It works really well. It's also fairly expensive. For student use, I don't necessarily advise you buy any particular brand, just find a stethoscope priced between about $30 and $70, and you'll get a stethoscope that will likely serve you well throughout school and into your first job as a nurse. Quite honestly, the sounds that you need to hear as a nursing student can usually be easily picked up by almost any stethoscope above $4, especially once you know what you're listening for. I have my primary stethoscope, my backup is a Littmann Classic II Lite (out of production), and it's backup is a $12 dual head stethoscope. They're all perfectly fine, but the higher the quality, the more subtle sounds you can hear. Notice I didn't say higher price... because there are high quality stethoscopes that are cheaper than the Littmann Cardiology series units.

Good luck, find a steth and move forward!

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