What Stethoscope to purchase?

One1, BSN, RN · May 31, 2010

If you can, go to a store and try out several brands and models, because a lot of it is personal preference. Another way to test a few different stethoscopes is to hold off during the first weeks of school and try your co-students' stethoscopes if they let you. Littmann stethoscopes are usually good quality for money, and some of my co-students (usually females) really like Ultrascope (partly because you can make it look all personalized and pretty, but also for quality).

shortnorthstudent · May 31, 2010

If you look under the general nursing tab, there's a whole section with threads about stethoscopes.

I just received a Littmann Classic II SE. It is amazing. The only other stethoscopes I'd used were in my CNA class and they were just terrible. I couldn't hear anything wiht those. With the Littmann, I have been practicing taking BPs and it's amazing how much confidence I am building on my own this spring.

schroeders_piano, RN · May 31, 2010

The best steth I have is an Allheart brand cardiology. It cost $25 bucks and you can hear mice burp a mile away with it.

Safetymouse, LPN, LVN · May 31, 2010

If a store nearby or anyone you know will let you try out their stethoscopes you should because everyone is different. I can't remember what type of Adscope a friend has, but I hear out of her stethoscope better than I do my Littman Classic II S.E.

Kristen<3 · May 31, 2010

After doing some research im going to get the littman classic II se for the fall. And im going to order it online so I can get it engraved for free since there seems to be alot of talk of them getting stolen in clincals. I know its not the best scope there is out there but I think it will be perfect for school, and I can upgrade as a graduation present to myself in the future :)

snkristen3689 · May 31, 2010

i love my littmann lightweight...it's good becase it's alittmann but also because it's not as expensive as the other ones

http://www.scrubsandbeyond.com/product/code/2450.do

RB2000 · May 31, 2010

yeah I have a littman classic II se too! Love it!!!

StangGang92 · May 31, 2010

I've used an ultrascope and I love it. I can get BPs with even a ton of background noise. I have yet to buy a scope of my own since I am only a incoming freshman, but I'm fairly sure I will be buying an ultrascope.

I've used both Littman and Ultrascope and to be honest I would say the difference between the two is minimal (US vs Classic II SE). An Ultrascope and a Littman Classic II SE run about the same price. Littman does have some very high tech scopes and they will run you a pretty penny, but for nursing school you probably should stay away from the $400 scopes! haha

But again, it does cost to be cheap. Buy quality the first time and it will last you years to come.

Sugarcoma, RN · May 31, 2010

I strongly agree with the poster who encouraged you to try perspective stethoscopes before buying. I went through 3 before finding one I can really hear out of (ultrascope). Just as an example every one I know recommends Littman Cardiology but I could not hear out of it. Everyone I know thinks the cheapo spragues are junk but I have 2 coworkers who love them and wouldn't use anything but. It is highly individualized and the only way to really know is to try them out for yourself.

Chele415 · Jun 1, 2010

Hello All,

Thanks for all the feedback! I have done lots of browsing online and I have heard great things about the Littman II S.E. Still have a couple months before school/clinicals start so I will still be searching for a while.

Thanks again for the advice!

:-)

Cuddleswithpuddles · Jun 1, 2010

Hello!

I have used a Littmann Cardiology III ever since I was a student in '05. The sound I get from it is certainly loud. Practicums were easier for me compared to my other classmates who had less sensitive stethoscopes. It came with a selection of earbuds, and the ones I have chosen to use fit extremely snugly into my ear and block out virtually all other noises. I think the main advantage of this stethoscope is that it has two heads that function the same way (as opposed to a stethoscope with two heads but one is a bell and the other is a diaphragm). The larger one is your typical adult size, and the smaller one is just right even for fullterm neonates. This versatility is why I've never wavered away from this steth for five years.

There are three problems that I can see with this stethoscope though. First is the cost. It cost me close to $200. Second, the sound you get is a little "boomy." Kind of like listening to music with the bass turned all the way up. Third, it's on the heavy side. You'll feel it around your neck at the end of the day.

Hope this contributed something to your decision making hehe. Let us know what you picked!