There are two main factors that should determine a nurse's choice of footwear. The first factor is the safety of the footwear and the second factor is the comfort that it provides. Style seldom becomes a factor especially for nurses who have been working long enough to know that one should never compromise safety and comfort for style.
Safety is important because even if the medical facility exerts all efforts to provide a safe working environment for its staff, there will always be hazards at the workplace. For one, nurses will always be in situations where they may slip and hurt themselves or their patients. Because hospital floors are always cleaned, they can also be very slippery. And because nurses need to work fast especially in emergency cases, without non-slip shoes, they could easily slip. So it is important to check if the shoes have non-skid soles so that the nurses can walk fast, even run and not slip. Aside from having non-slip soles, nurses should also consider the material and the thickness of the soles so that they can be sure that the feet are protected from syringe needles, water or other liquids that may have spilled on the floor. Although lace-ups and special trainers have become very common for medical workers, it is still better to choose shoes that you can easily slip into. Aside from offering convenience, this also protects you from getting bacteria and germs into your hands.
For the longest time, nurses wore white nursing shoes that set them apart from the other professions. But most of the white shoes available before were so uncomfortable that they left the nurses suffering from aching feet, legs and backs. Fortunately for nurses, there are now shoe brands that offer optimum protection and comfort.
In choosing comfortable shoes for work, make sure that you get the right size of footwear. The toes must not touch the tip of the shoes as the friction can cause pain to the feet. Make sure that the shoe has at least half an inch of extra space. You must also choose shoes that are neither too soft nor too stiff. The shoes should not be stiff so as to cause aches and pains to the feet. If the footwear is too soft, it may not offer enough support to the soles and ankles. Make sure the soles are orthopedic and offer enough support to your feet. There are special gel padding sold in the market that support the natural arch of the feet. There are also shoe brands available that already feature orthopedic foot bed. Shoes that naturally mold to your feet can help relieve the stress from your feet and legs.
The footwear brand Crocs, for example, has the rubber clogs model called Professional especially designed for medical professionals and other workers who stay on their feet for long hours. The closed top rubber clog has an orthopedic foot bed that also molds to the feet giving each pair a customized fit.
Buying comfortable and safe shoes is very important for health professionals because the right type of footwear can help them perform their tasks better.
The purchase of shoes is an area that cannot be stressed enough in the nursing field. In the past nurses wore the traditional white shoes that set a nurse apart from other professions. Over time, this has changed, and there are several other styles available, with some nurses even choosing to wear either white or black sneakers instead of the traditional shoes. The issue with shoes is that you must toss style for comfort when you are on your feet all day long. Many women, especially the younger ones, prefer style to comfort, but in the years to follow this line of thinking will take a toll on not only their backs but feet as well.
There is a great deal of controversy among health care professional about what shoes are the best for being on your feet eight to twelve hours a day, but the majority seem to feel that Nurse Mates are far from being the most comfortable. In fact, of the reviews published on this subject, many nurses and health care professionals complained that their feet actually hurt at the end of their shift. Although in the past Nurse Mates seemed to be the industry standard, many are headed toward the New Balance walking shoe or the Naturalizer for comfort and durability. Another popular brand is Dansko, which is reported as being quite expensive but also very comfortable and durable. A great many seem to also endorse the use of Dr. Scholl's gel insoles for taking the pressure off the back while working long shifts. Several professionals also endorse the use of custom made orthotics, but the cost at $150 a pair can be out of line for many people.
Since each person's feet adjust to different situations differently, the best thing you can do is go to a store at the end of your shift while your feet are tired and swollen from the day's work and try on several pair of shoes. Once you find the ones that feel the best on your feet, you may choose to go online and order them at a cheaper price than the shoe store has to offer. The important thing to remember is that when you work on your feet, you must take care of them, no matter what the cost may be. Ill-fitting shoes will not only do damage to your feet but to your back as well because of the way you will walk to ease the pain in your feet from the shoes. Even if you buy a cheap uniform at the second hand store, buy the best shoes for your individual feet and don't give a second thought to the cost. After all, if you can't stand on your feet in the nursing profession, you can't do your job.
Both David Tang & Jim Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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