Advice on 12 hour shifts

[MJB2010]

I graduated in May, and have been off my feet (stress fracture) pretty much all summer. I did ONE 8 hour shift at work last week and it kicked my behind! My feet were killing me when I got home and my heels were swollen. I am starting a new job & will be working three 12 hour shifts a week. Any advice on how to prepare my body to make it through 12 hours on my feet? I am hoping I will just get used to it after the first few weeks, as I did last summer. I am hoping the stress fracture does not come back. I think I just need to get used to it again.

How do you make it through 12 hour shifts?

What shoes do YOU wear?

How was your first few weeks on 12's?

How long did it take to get used to it?

How do you feel after a 12?

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Stay away from Croc. They have no arch support and will kill your feet before the shift is over, at least they did for me. I have a pair of Keens and LOVE them. You have to find what is right for you. Do not just buy what people on here tell you to. Everyone told me "get Danskos'" and I really wanted to, they have some cute stuff, but after trying on every style they had in several sizes and with and without inserts the man at the shoe store said I simply do not have a "Dansko foot". I found my water proof (aka amniotic water proof) Keens and have never looked back:

http://www.zappos.com/womens-keen-shoes

[skittlebear]

I love my crocs...but I have to agree, they have no support. I just feel like I'm walking barefoot on a comfy, bouncy, rubbery surface.

[RN-ing, BSN, MSN, NP]

Alegrias are the best I have found so far! I rotate them with Birkenstock clogs.

I feel beat down after a 12-hour shift! Try to stay in shape--strong abs are essential for lifting and turning patients. Yoga is also amazing.

[MJB2010]

Alegrias are the best I have found so far! I rotate them with Birkenstock clogs.

I feel beat down after a 12-hour shift! Try to stay in shape--strong abs are essential for lifting and turning patients. Yoga is also amazing.

If you are a half size, do you go up or down a size with Alegria? Do they run big or small?

[Blouis, APRN]

I love crocs, I hardly have any pain or aching feet. My shox tend to hurt by day 2 in a row. Have you considered splitting your days so you can rest? I never get used to the 12 hour shifts. My body always hurts!!!!

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I like the brand Think! or Birkenstocks. I like Think! the best. My feet never

bother me on a 12 hour shift. My feet feel very sad when I take them off when

I get home. I never wear the same pair of shoes two nights in a row.

I use Crocs for strictly around the house on hardwood and ceramic tile floors.

Crocs don't have near the amount of arch support I need. I just love those

cork footbeds.

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

I have stress fracture issues as well, and my Danskos have been very kind to them. I've had the same pair for over a year and they still feel great. Try www.danskooutlet.com for deals - although I'd recommend going to a store and trying on a few pairs to get the correct size. That conversion chart isn't exactly reliable.

I wear them all night at work, and then all day around campus :) No complaints here! I also kick off my shoes during downtime and stretch my toes (as I'm doing right now lol.)

[JoshG]

I work 12 and a half hour shifts but only 2 days a week and I still feel the pain. My advice is dont just stand still it makes it worse. Walk around if you have time. Get plenty of rest and always stretch before your shift starts

[SouthpawRN]

I work 12 and a half hour shifts but only 2 days a week and I still feel the pain. My advice is dont just stand still it makes it worse. Walk around if you have time. Get plenty of rest and always stretch before your shift starts

My guess is the OP found shoes that work sometime in the last 7 years since they made this post...