Best Shoes for Nursing

Nurses Uniform/Gear Nursing Q/A

I've been a nurse for 3 years, and have yet to find shoes that don't hurt my feet. 

Please suggest the best brands and types of shoes for nursing. Thank you!

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

My problem is with finding shoes with a good fitting, stout arch support that fits the length (size 9 and a HALF). For years used to wear CLINICS with a Dr Scholl's leather arch support in them. Never had problems w/ feet or knees when I could get the Clinics, which are not made anymore, in NARROW. Now you can't get any half-sizes; after size nine all you can get is a size 10....Medium or Wide, or Extra-wide. Even if I fill the medium shoes with various arch supports, including a pair of inserts made by a podiatrist, none of that really takes care of things. My KNEES are not happy with almost-but-not-quite-right shoes. Not everyone is a generic whole-size, medium or wide. Makes me mad, all the shoes that advertise they are recommended by podiatrists as being the best for arch support, etc. I say a big fat HA! to that! SHOW ME! I have been disappointed with almost every popular and Big Brand of shoes. As a result I HATE shopping for shoes!

But just because I am retired now doesn't mean I don't care about good fitting shoes!

My problem is with finding shoes with a good fitting, stout arch support that fits the length (size 9 and a HALF). For years used to wear CLINICS with a Dr Scholl's leather arch support in them. Never had problems w/ feet or knees when I could get the Clinics, which are not made anymore, in NARROW. Now you can't get any half-sizes; after size nine all you can get is a size 10....Medium or Wide, or Extra-wide. Even if I fill the medium shoes with various arch supports, including a pair of inserts made by a podiatrist, none of that really takes care of things. My KNEES are not happy with almost-but-not-quite-right shoes. Not everyone is a generic whole-size, medium or wide. Makes me mad, all the shoes that advertise they are recommended by podiatrists as being the best for arch support, etc. I say a big fat HA! to that! SHOW ME! I have been disappointed with almost every popular and Big Brand of shoes. As a result I HATE shopping for shoes!

But just because I am retired now doesn't mean I don't care about good fitting shoes!

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Don't know why that was double-posted! Sorry!

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Critical Care.

40 years of nursing including standing at the cath lab table for hours. If you stand then clogs are great. If you are running around the ER, ICU etc then stick with sneakers. I have high arches and podiatrist recommended New Balance (I have custom orthotics), I also love Hoka. Excellent shoes, comfy and they hold up.

Hoka shoes are great!

I also recently started wearing Oofos recovery shoes; they have the best arch support and the shock-absorption is better than my Hoka's, Asics, or On shoes. 20% discount for nurses with GovX

Used to wear ASICS nimbus that were over $100. Many days of getting my shoes and uniform of vomit, blood, and even IV fluids. Now wear crocs bistro, the ones without the holes. Continue to get various fluids on me and shoes, but a rinse under the sink, cavicide wipes and I'm back on the floor. More comfortable than ASICS too.

mtmkjr said:

I am not a Dansko fan - have never figured that one out.

But I am loving my Allegria Duette shoes. So comfortable, good arch support. I've noticed several other coworkers have also started wearing them. I bought them in both red and black.

Me too I got the Keli professional style and they r the first shoes to stop foot and back pain. I tried dansko, merrell, crocs and none came close to the allegrias! 

Find something that works for you and get a couple of pairs to trade out. I generally go through a pair of shoes in 3 months. I used to swear by Adidas, but they kill my feet. Brooks and ON Cloud are pricey, but work for me. All about what's comfortable, your knees, back, and joints will thank you. Been working ED for well over a decade. Hopefully this helps.

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