What is the BEST stethoscope to buy for a nursing student?

What is a good stethoscope for a nurse?

• I'm a nursing student and I want to buy a stethoscope that works for me as a student in clinicals and in practice. Is there a stethoscope out there that will work for both or do I need to buy two different stethoscopes? What is the best brand in stethoscopes? thanks. Charis

• Answer:

  My first stethoscope was a Littmann Classic II SE. I now use (rarely...) a Littmann Cardiology III. Don't go crazy and buy a really expensive one. $30-40 should do it. Since you are learning, I think you should try one that allows you to really hear the difference in heart and lung sounds. http://www.allheart.com/littmannscopes.html Welch Allyn makes a nice one too...but I've never used one. NOTE: Umm...I wouldn't spend $300 on an electronic stethoscope. No offense to the poster below, but 1.) you are a nursing student...you don't need it, honestly. 2.) for what you are doing, you want one that won't be broken easily 3.) you will catch alot of crap from nurses, doctors, med students, etc...showing up as a student with an electronic stethoscope. I mean when med students show up on my service with electronic stethoscopes they spend more time taking care not to break the damn thing than they spend using it. You need to know if the patient has rales in his lung field, you need to know if the patients heart is beating, and you'll use to for blood pressure monitoring, if you do it the old fashion way. That's it. Stay focused on what you are supposed to be learning. Good luck...and watch out for the lonely medical students.