What are the best nursing shoes for you?
For nurses, the right shoes are essential. It is not just for comfort during long shifts, but also for practical reasons. Shoes designed specifically for professionals are lightweight and include features such as anti-static ESD and non-slip soles. These features contribute to their safety on a variety of floor surfaces and conditions. Additionally, they are effective for high-tech working conditions where static electricity is a concern.
The physical demands of the job cause many medical professionals to suffer. The right footwear is essential for reducing the symptoms and minimising the risk of injury. This article should help you decide which nursing shoes are the best for you.
Common Aches and Pains for Nurses
It’s no wonder that health care professionals suffer from a variety of painful conditions caused by long shifts on their feet all day. When you are walking miles on the ward or standing for long periods in theatre, there are sometimes painful side effects.
Common complaints include plantar fasciitis, back and leg pain, heel spurs, swelling in the feet, and numbness. This is often due to wearing shoes that are an improper fit, or not fit for purpose, throughout long and demanding shifts. The best shoes for nurses must be built to keep you as comfortable at the end of the shift as you are at the start.
Good shock absorption is key to reducing these aches and pains. With all the time we spend on our feet and the many surfaces we walk on, the importance of proper footwear cannot be overstated. For the sake of our feet and rest of the body, we need the best shock-absorbent shoes to reduce the impact on our joints. We offer a wide range of footwear with excellent shock absorption in the heel.
Best Shoes for Nurses with Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition, affecting one in every ten people at some point in their lives. It is also more common in women than it is in men. This condition is caused by inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs from the heel to the toes. When the fascia becomes irritated, it becomes inflamed, resulting in heel pain.
Treatment options range from ice packs and foam rollers to exercises and stretches. A proper pair of footwear can make a huge difference in your recovery process and everyday comfort. Good shock absorption and postural support are the key elements here. When walking and standing, good shock absorption disperses some of the force of heel striking. A shoe that provides good postural support, such as the AWP Recovery Shoe, holds the foot in place as well as encourages good posture.
Heel spurs are another common complaint, often seen along with Plantar Fasciitis. Nurses with heel spurs may choose a slightly raised heel to relieve stress on the heel and improve comfort, such as the Oxypas “Move Up” range. The range includes three styles with a raised heel; ‘Lucia’, ‘Salma’ and ‘Sandy’.
The Best Nursing Shoes for Sore Feet
Foot problems caused by hot and swollen feet may be improved by good ventilation, which helps to circulate air and reduce swelling and discomfort. You could choose an EVA shoe such as the Oxyva washable shoe, which has air vents along the footbed to allow air to circulate around the foot. If you prefer a more traditional style shoe we have many breathable styles with cut-out sections for better ventilation.
Corns and bunions can be very painful, and shoes can often make them worse. In order to alleviate these common foot issues, choose a shoe that is soft and stretchy and causes as little pressure and friction as possible on the affected area. The Oxypas Anais and Candy are made with Lycra for added comfort and can help relieve discomfort associated with a variety of common foot issues.
Washable Nursing Shoes
It is often required for medical professionals who work in theatres, laboratories, sterile services, and other cleanrooms and sterile environments. Shoe materials that can be washed at different temperatures and shoe sterilisation techniques fall into this category. Washable nursing shoes are ideal for a variety of nursing roles, including theatre nurses.
Read more about our washable nursing shoe options in our blog here.
Nursing Shoes for Men
There are now a record number of male nurses in British hospitals, an estimated 1 in 10 as compared to 50 years ago when only 1 in 100 nurses were male. Over the next decade, this number is expected to double as more men choose to pursue nursing as a career.
The majority of UK nurses are female, so the variety of professional shoes available for men has been fairly limited compared to their female counterparts, leaving them with little choice but basic clogs and trainers.
As the profession has become more popular among men, the selection of footwear has increased. There are now a variety of stylish and practical options available. Many styles are available up to UK size 13. You can view our range of nursing shoes for men here
Rotating Work Shoes for Foot Health
As well as choosing the correct shoe style for your needs, it is crucial to maintain good foot health. By the end of a long shift, shoes can become hot and humid. In turn, this makes them a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to some very unpleasant infections.It is recommended The recommendation is that people should change their shoes every two days so that they are able to dry out and breathe. Read our 5 top tips for happy healthy feet here.
Would you like to learn more about professional footwear before making a decision? Here are some blog articles you may find helpful:
What are Anti-static and ESD? Click here to read our ‘Antistatic and ESD Explained’ blog.
What are slip-resistance standards? Click here to read our ‘Slips, Trips and Falls – Slip Resistance Explained’ blog.
What are slip-resistance standards? Click here to read our ‘Safety and Occupational Footwear Explained’ blog.
Looking for student placement shoes? Click here to read our ‘Best Shoes for Student Nursing Placement’ blog.
Do you have Plantar Fasciitis or other common aches and pains? Click here to read our ‘The Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis’ blog.
Looking for washable footwear? Click here to read our ‘Washable Shoes and Clogs for Nurses’ blog.
Do you have sore or tired feet? Click here to read our ‘5 Top Tips for Happy Healthy Feet’ blog.
