Best shoes for OR??

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I am a new grad RN and I just accepted a position in the OR. I wore clogs (Nurse mates) for a couple weeks in nursing school and I hated how slow I had to walk in them so I switched to Nike Air Force 1s. The Nikes worked ok for school because we were rarely in clinical over 6 hours but when I worked as an extern for 8-12 hour shifts, my feet always hurt. So, in your opinion, what are the best shoes for working in the OR?:confused:

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Here is a link to some preferences on shoes https://allnurses.com/forums/f213/shoes-should-i-buy-237576.html

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I love my Danskos. I wore flip-flops and fake Crocs this weekend and I can tell....the heels of my feet HURT so much by the end of our Wed-Sun camping getaway!!

Today, I walked around in my house with shorts on, and my Danskos....lol My feet don't hurt anymore.

Granted I haven't started in the OR yet, but I will be wearing Danskos.

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I'm a Crocs fan (and some of the better imitations). They're light, easy to clean and you can slip them off easily once in a while to air out dem puppies.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I'm a Birkenstock girl. They are really comfy and hard wearing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg;Rehab;Gerontology; Now OR.

Danskos and Crocs seems to be the favorite among my colleagues.

It's really up to you. You have to find something that suits you, some love danskos because it supports your feet/arch, Crocs because they are light and airy.

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A lot of the RN's where I work have been getting the Merrell Breeze II. It has a little more support in the back than a clog and is a semi-mesh so your feet can breath.

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Specializes in US Army.

I have them all; Crocs, Danskos and Birkenstocks. Crocs win hands down, but this is what works for my feet.

If you don't have any shoes yet, get the Crocs first- they are much cheaper than the others : )

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Specializes in OR.

I just bought a pair of good Asics running shoes maybe two weeks ago and they have been amazing. They give me the support I need. My feet never hurt when I go home.

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Specializes in CST in general surgery, LDRs, & podiatry.
i am a new grad rn and i just accepted a position in the or. i wore clogs (nurse mates) for a couple weeks in nursing school and i hated how slow i had to walk in them so i switched to nike air force 1s. the nikes worked ok for school because we were rarely in clinical over 6 hours but when i worked as an extern for 8-12 hour shifts, my feet always hurt. so, in your opinion, what are the best shoes for working in the or?:confused:

:twocents: when i was still working (work-related injury has left me with a permanent disability recently, so i had to "retire" :cry:) the best thing i ever found was a store that catered to runners and walkers - the long distance kind - and they have staff who know how to fit shoes - not just sell them. the sales staff looks at your feet, your stride, you weight, your working conditions, i.e., all day on concrete floors, etc., and then makes recommendations based on those and other factors, and they fit the shoes to your feet. then you get to walk around inside and outside to try them out for a while. they have recommended a couple of pairs of shoes for me which i never would have chosen on my own, but were the best two pairs of workshoes i ever owned, from a comfort and support standpoint. i found a long time ago, that the best investment you can make in this profession is very good shoes. they are worth their weight in gold, even at today's prices! :up:

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I do not recommend Crocs for the OR. The chances of blood and other bodily fluids getting on your feet and saturating your socks are high, which is a personal protective barrier concern. The risk for accidently dropping a needle or syringe and it landing in one of the holes and sticking you is also a concern. I have also noticed that people wearing Crocs always trip in them, since they are rubber and catch the floor so easily when walking. They do not provide good arch support for standing on your feet for long periods of time.

I have found that, although pricey, Danskos are the best. They are comfortable, durable, safe and last forever. They are well worth the price and come in all colors and styles.

I hope this helps!

Christine RN, BSN, CNOR

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I do not recommend Crocs for the OR. The chances of blood and other bodily fluids getting on your feet and saturating your socks are high, which is a personal protective barrier concern. The risk for accidently dropping a needle or syringe and it landing in one of the holes and sticking you is also a concern. I have also noticed that people wearing Crocs always trip in them, since they are rubber and catch the floor so easily when walking. They do not provide good arch support for standing on your feet for long periods of time.

I have found that, although pricey, Danskos are the best. They are comfortable, durable, safe and last forever. They are well worth the price and come in all colors and styles.

I hope this helps!

Christine RN, BSN, CNOR

They make Crocs specifically for healthcare workers, and these do not have holes-I also don't trip in them. When I wore the ones with the holes, never had an issue with dropping anything in there or my feet getting bloody.

The one time I really wiped out in the OR I was wearing my Danskos! The foot and ankle surgeon that I work with told me he hates seeing people wearing Danskos, because the occurrance of people turning their ankles in them is high.

I rotate my shoes, some days I wear my "holey" Crocs, some days I wear the "unholey" Crocs and some days, I wear the Danskos and just pray I don't sprain my ankle again!!:clown::chuckle

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