[JimmyWVSN]

I am in my first year of Nursing School at West Virginia University- Parkersburg, and I had a question. How do you decide which stethoscope is the one for you with so many brands and types out there. I got an ADC Sprague Rappaport Type Scope from the school and it works ok, but the double tubes rub together and make a lot of background noises when taking BP. Just wondering if anyone has any personal experiences with any, that may help. Thanks

[No Prob Rob]

I just graduated from school. I used the cheapest ($10.00) stethoscope I could find and got by. For graduation I got a good Littmann. Don't sweat the small stuff.

[disholicious]

I started my first few years with the cheapest littman and loved it. I transferred to cardiac and got a littmann master cardiology-which I refer to as one of my best friends. I have crummy hearing so it's a big deal for me. My sister started nursing school this week and I am getting her a littmann. I have used spragues and don't care for them. But if you are spending some dough, don't let it out of your sight b/c it WILL disappear.

[cougarnurse]

I'd gotten a Sprague, and had my first one walk off with a doctor. I like them, though. It is all a matter of choice, need, etc. I have to soon get one that amplifies sound, as I recently had a nasty 'bug' settle in my ear, causing a bit of deafness.

Let us know what you decide on!

'Cat'

[syudent1010@aol.com]

I have a littman lightweight and a regular littman and I love them both. They are about $40-$70. I personally like the stethoscopes that have the bell on one side and then the diaphram on the other, but like everyone else said, it's all about personal preference. I just got these to get through nursing school, but when I graduate in December I plan on buying a cardiac one. And discholicious is right put your name on it or mark it somehow, because it will disappear! And be kind of choosing about who you let borrow it, if a MD, then follow them and pretend you are interested in whatever they are going to use it for and if they try to walk off with it kindly remind them that the stethoscope is yours!

[Alternator]

I have a Littman Master Cardiology. Let me tell you, I can hear soooo good out of it! My friends have let me try their stethoscopes and they don't compare. It was worth every cent!

I tried the Littman Lightweight and I thought it was one of the better ones.

[askmeh]

IMHO in nursing school just about anyone will do ... perhaps your student nurse association is having a sale. After graduation depending on your chosen area you may want to invest in a better one (Sounds like a graduation present to me).

Best Wishes and keep us updated