Which Stethoscope should I get?

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I start nursing school in January and I am looking to get a good stethoscope. I am looking at the Littman Master Classic or the Littman Cardiology III. Anyone have any feedback?

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Either the Littmann Classic II SE or Master Classic would be good choices.

I wouldn't get the higher-end Littmanns as a student because 1. steths do tend to walk away during clincials, 2. you don't need anything more powerful right now, and 3. once you start working, you can get the advanced steth best suited for your specialty.

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I start nursing school in January and I am looking to get a good stethoscope. I am looking at the Littman Master Classic or the Littman Cardiology III. Anyone have any feedback?

Littman Cardiology III

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, Cath Lab, MICU, Endoscopy..

Think labs...electronic especially if you plan on going to critical care or trauma...lots of noise around you no problem!

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Specializes in Psych.
I start nursing school in January and I am looking to get a good stethoscope. I am looking at the Littman Master Classic or the Littman Cardiology III. Anyone have any feedback?

The one that you hear best with and can afford.

Try them, wear them, try them again, and determine which is best for you.

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I have a cardio 3 but it was a hand me down from my mom. I love it but im not sure that I would have paid that much if I had to have bought it myself.

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Specializes in Med/surg,orthopedics,emergency room,.

Definetly a Littman! Actually if I were just starting I would get the Littman Classic. The acoustics are very good, and then I would graduate from there. Littman's are great-they last very long and you don't have to worry about the rubber cracking. At best you will have to replace the diaphram, and maybe the occasional ear piece, but it will last you. One suggestion: NEVER let anyone use your stethoscope! I have always been adamant about that! If I'm carrying it, it stays around my neck or in my pocket. I always carry some alcohol wipes in my pocket to wipe my ear pieces, but it's always been a very personal thing with me. I'll let you borrow my pen, highlighter, scissors. But my 'scope?? Sorry, not today!! Good Luck in school!!

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I start nursing school next week. My mom works at MCH and bought me the Littmann Cardiology III as an early Christmas gift. She also said NEVER let anyone borrow your steth ( just as payitforward said). She said that is the best steth to go with whether a nursing student or nurse.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
I think the Littmann Classic II S.E. is perfect for nursing students. The price isn't too bad imo but you can at least hear with it. Cheaper stethoscopes do not have good acoustics. Same with the cheaper Littmanns, too...the Lightweight and the Classic have horrible acoustics. I would not recommend those to anybody. The Littmann Classic II S.E., however, delivers. I paid $80 for mine.

I bought mine years ago through my nursing school (they offered a significant discount), and I still use it all these years later. I have never felt the need to upgrade. It remains a terrific combination of price and performance.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
One suggestion: NEVER let anyone use your stethoscope! I have always been adamant about that! I'll let you borrow my pen, highlighter, scissors. But my 'scope?? Sorry, not today!! Good Luck in school!!

My mom ... also said NEVER let anyone borrow your steth

I generally agree but did want to share that I had a weak moment and I did let someone use my Cardio III for a patient; I actually let her keep it for 2 weeks... not only was this an MD, but a resident... and not even one of our regulars.

I actually thought it was gone but she went out of her way to ensure that it made it home safe and sound.

It's nice to *not* get burned sometimes... though that's probably the last time I'll be so helpful. I just felt so badly for her using one of those 'toy' stethoscopes from the isolation cart.

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Been looking for a good quality stethoscope... looks like Littmann brand is the way to go.

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Electronic stethoscopes for nursing is like using an apache helicopter to kill a cockroach

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That is hilarious about the apache helicopter to kill a cockroach!! I am getting a Littmann Cardiology iii as suggested by my friends (a nurse and a physician). Here is my big dilemma though...... What Color? I am leaning toward the black edition because I figure it won't clash with whatever color scrubs I end up wearing in the long run. Also, it just looks very professional. A nurse friend of mine suggested I definitely go with a fun color, so now I am not sure. I have narrowed it down to black edition, navy, plum, or raspberry. Does anyone have any of these colors? I can use all the help you offer!

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the post and make it about color. On topic though, I have heard from several people to "get a Littmann".

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