Best shoes for a part time CNA?

mvm2 · Jul 17, 2013

Never tried nursing shoes myself. I love sketchers and right now I have a pair of Dr. Scholls. Both are very comfy, and they seems to last a long time.

DomJo8, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2013

Never tried nursing shoes myself. I love sketchers and right now I have a pair of Dr. Scholls. Both are very comfy and they seems to last a long time.[/quote']
I'll have to try those out!

Career2_BSN, BSN · Jul 18, 2013

I like skechers, too and while searching this topic on these forums, it seems a lot of nurses like skechers. Skechers Premiums have slip resistant soles which our instructor says is a MUST HAVE. We'll be showering residents and don't want to slip on the wet floors. Not to mention, other spills (bodily fluids or feeding) can happen as well. I bought a lace-up pair and a pair that didn't have laces and I prefer the slip on ones myself.

I also read socks are equally as imporant as shoes. Many nurses swear by support socks. I asked my CNA instructor about these and she gave a very emphatic YES, you want support socks, sometimes called TED Hose (a name brand). I bought a 3-pack of knee-high support socks. I haven't worn them to class since we sit a lot, but we start clinicals in 2 weeks and I'll wear them there when on my feet all day. The ones my store carried are only 8mmHg and they don't feel very tight. I might need 15, but they may feel tighter as the day goes on so I'll start with 8 and see if I get any foot fatique.

DomJo8, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2013

I like skechers, too and while searching this topic on these forums, it seems a lot of nurses like skechers. Skechers Premiums have slip resistant soles which our instructor says is a MUST HAVE. We'll be showering residents and don't want to slip on the wet floors. Not to mention, other spills (bodily fluids or feeding) can happen as well. I bought a lace-up pair and a pair that didn't have laces and I prefer the slip on ones myself.
I also read socks are equally as imporant as shoes. Many nurses swear by support socks. I asked my CNA instructor about these and she gave a very emphatic YES, you want support socks, sometimes called TED Hose (a name brand). I bought a 3-pack of knee-high support socks. I haven't worn them to class since we sit a lot, but we start clinicals in 2 weeks and I'll wear them there when on my feet all day. The ones my store carried are only 8mmHg and they don't feel very tight. I might need 15, but they may feel tighter as the day goes on so I'll start with 8 and see if I get any foot fatique.

How do you know what size support socks you should get? I have skinny legs and don't want something that's going to cut my circulation off. I'm gonna go to the walking company first and see if I can get custom insoles

Career2_BSN, BSN · Jul 18, 2013

I got the custom insoles as well. I have very high arches and it's difficult to find supports that are high enough for me. When I went to the Goodfeet Store and complained that I have so much difficulty finding shoes with enough arch support, the salesperson told me "that's because shoes don't come with arch supports." Well, I guess it depends which shoes you're buying but I think he's right as a whole. You'll notice stores that sell custom arch supports also sell Superfeet arch supports. They recommended the green ones for me and those are 1/2 the price of the custom fitted ones...even cheaper when you buy them through Amazon. I bought one pair of custom insoles to see how I like them. Now, I wear them almost every day. As I trade shoes, I just put the insoles in. I thought about buying multiple pairs of inserts, but I can only wear one pair at a time and they're $100 a pair! ouch! They seem to be holding up very well.

You might ask the walking store if they can recommend which compression socks to wear. I opted to start light and work my way up. Like you, I don't want to have them too tight. Although, when we were practicing this particular skill in class (putting TED hose on a resident), they were considerably stronger than the ones I have at home so I am pretty sure I'll need to go up. They're supposed to be tight so they prevent swelling in the calf, ankle and foot but loose enough at the top that they don't cut circulation. They're hot, too. Not sure how I'll like that.

anichka · Jul 19, 2013

I like my Dankso's. I started wearing an old pair of running shoes though. They weren't bad, but they had a mesh top (not so great if you spill something on your shoe, which will definitely happen sometime).

I see all sorts of things though. Just get something comfortable! I prefer to have one pair of shoes that I devote solely to work. I don't like to wear them in my house, either. Just while I am at work. Maybe a bit paranoid, but I figure the fewer germs I track home, the healthier my family.