Some manufacturers make special offers to educators, students and medical facilities by offering free stethoscopes for purchasing their brand of stethoscopes in bulk. For example, in the summer of 2011, if you bought 3M Littmann products in bulk, you received free stethoscopes. The purchase of five or more Classic II SE stethoscopes would have gotten you one for free; buying 50 or more cardiology stethoscopes could have gotten you both a 3M Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope and a 3M Littmann Classic II Teaching stethoscope. Of course, buying in bulk isn't an ideal situation for a student. You could sell the extra stethoscopes to other students or through an online classified or auction. You are not likely to make a profit, but this may allow you to break even and still benefit from the free one.
Let family members know you need a stethoscope for school. You may end up with a free one in no time, especially if you have a birthday or other special event coming up. It can also be helpful to ask people you know that have ties to the medical profession, such as doctors and nurses.
Many nursing students will purchase new stethoscopes once they graduate. You may want to contact them to ask if they are willing to give their school stethoscope to you for free. You can post a flyer at local hospitals and medical facilities where former nursing students work.
Your nursing school may have a program to help students in financial need. It is possible a program may allow you to borrow or have a stethoscope if warranted by your financial situation. Your school may also have resources for you to obtain one from an organization not necessarily publicizing its offer of free equipment.