Question for NURSES/NP's

Stacy

Cathlete
My friend is a long-time nurse, recently went back to school for NP degree and will be finishing up at the end of the year. I'd like to get her a new stethoscope as a gift. The Littmann website has so many to choose from and I'm not sure which one to get. I want something high quality but something realistic as far as what she'd really use it for. I'm sure something light weight would be better, but is the "triangle shaped bell for listening under blood pressure cuffs" really far superior to a normal round bell if the price is really alot different? Is there a standard length not to go under? She will likely be working more with adults but I'm sure something that would work with kids would be handy as well. Thanks for any tips!
 
Never seen anyone use a triangle bell. The 2 I see most doctors and nurses use are the littman classic or cardic. I've had a few version of both over it over the past 25 years.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Classic-Stethoscope-Multiple/dp/B00QGHDJN6
This is my current steth I like its light weight and really am able to hear adventitious sounds very well

I use the classic now working the ER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...d_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_i=B00QESFO80

THis one has a bit more quality to the sounds. I see a lot of the doctors, np and pa using this stethoscope. But honestly in the medical field they make more so they buy a more expensive toy kwim.

I had one of the cardio version back when I worked open heart recovery 15 years ago.

most of the time doc come in the room and 9 times out of 10 they ask the nurse can they use our scopes ( just fyi) so I'm guessing its a status thing LOL cause they use mine a lot

The NP always have their own scope so I guess that's nurse training vs md training.

I think your friend would appreciate either scope.
 
Thanks (I got the "triangular" terminology wrong, sorry!). I'll look at the ones you suggested. I was also thinking of the Classic II SE. She will be using it for both adults and peds. She had a neck injury a few years ago so I'm also looking for one that isn't too heavy. Littmann has a "light weight" one but the reviews aren't as good as others and it says not good to use with kids.
 
I have had a lightweight steth and returned it because of the sound issues. There is a bit of difference in the weight between classic and lightweight but not enough to worry about neck strain. IMO. I wear mine all shift on really busy nights. I try to take it off and put in my pockets when we aren't slammed.
 
I use the Cardiology 3. I got it when I started work in an ER. I needed something decent to hear specific breath/lung sounds and heart sounds in the midst of a very busy trauma center. And YES.......the MD'S often say..."Can I use your scope?". Its more expensive but when you really need to hear things, it works really well. I work in a school now with kindergarten through 2ND grade. About 400 kids. The small bell is great for pediatric use on the Cardiology 3. By the way.....That's a very thoughtful gift. Very nice of you!
 
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I would love to have someone buy me a nice stethoscope! I've got a Classic, but would like the Cardio 3. As I get a little older I find my hearing isn't the best. Borrowed one Physician's Assist's Cardio 3 and it was awesome! I might need to make this a "hurrah, you have a new job" gift to myself.
 

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