Cranky feet....better shoes?

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

My feet were killing me too until I bought NurseMates. Great shoes!

brewerpaul · Mar 26, 2006

I'm a huge fan of athletic shoes, if the institution where you work will let you wear them. You can get really nice walking shoes in white leather- New Balance is a great brand, and you can buy them in different widths unlike many other shoes. Remove the insoles and replace them with Spenco Polysorb Replacement Insoles (check spenco.com for a dealer near you). You'll love this combo.

I know wherein I speak, because in addition to being a nursing student, I'm a podiatrist by profession, with 28 years in private practice.

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 26, 2006

I have just about worn through my old shoes and am looking to get a new pair. My feet have been killing me ever since I started as a CNA and am on my feet running around for 8 hours at a time! I would love any and all recommendations on the best, most comfortable nursing shoe out there. Thank you!

Bethy,

First it really depends on your foot! Personally I have wasted hundreds of dollars buying shoes that other folks recommended! Pity.

I though Danskos were great, then found out I couldn't make a 12 hour shift in them!! Yeouch.

Nursemates get great reviews too but, darn could not make an 8 hour shift in them without humongo blisters.

So, if you are like me and have very high arches and narrow feet you may like Truffles brand, (which are hard to find but medium priced).

I have heard good things about Quarks also and 'gators' (unsure of real name). I tried them on and thought they seemed okay.

You really need to know your feet. Your comfort and your foot health is too important to suffer through shifts in ill fitting or incorrect shoes. Good luck,

Gen

123456yy · Mar 26, 2006

i have just about worn through my old shoes and am looking to get a new pair. my feet have been killing me ever since i started as a cna and am on my feet running around for 8 hours at a time! i would love any and all recommendations on the best, most comfortable nursing shoe out there. thank you!

dansko!! i love them! and when the pair i have now wears out (going on 2 years w/ the same pair), i will buy another! i had exactly the same issue with being on my feet for 12 hours a day! so i found, for me anyway, the perfect pair of 14 hour shoes. my feet never hurt after a shift. be prepared tho, they're not cheap. and they fit differently than normal shoes, so make sure the place you buy them knows how to fit them properly. wishing you no more aching feet and good luck in your search!

wilbur's mom · Mar 26, 2006

Hi!

Please check out Crocs! They are perfect for healthcare and growing in popularity at both our local hospitals. www.crocs.com. They are clogs that stay on your feet, can be sanitized at work, come in great colors, (the pearl white is kinda dingy grey), are $39 bucks, and the Aspens are their solid (not holey) kind. sue

p.s. no, i don't own croc stock!

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

I have just about worn through my old shoes and am looking to get a new pair. My feet have been killing me ever since I started as a CNA and am on my feet running around for 8 hours at a time! I would love any and all recommendations on the best, most comfortable nursing shoe out there. Thank you!

It isn't always your shoes that are causing problem. You might need good socks. Not ankle socks. But support hose.

When I first started nursing my feet burned all the time. An older nurse told me wear support hose. I said my legs don't hurt . She said wear support hose .. I did and after 26 years OJT I don't have any varicose viens and my feet don't hurt.

I like Reebocks myself. They are white leather and clean up nice.

Good luck. Get some good new shoes but put on good support stockings to boot.

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

Crocs have become very popular on our unit as well. Seems like we all wear them. I was skeptical at first, but one 12 hour shift and I was hooked!! I found that my feet don't feel like they weigh 50 pounds each when I get off work!

SFCardiacRN · Mar 26, 2006

I buy my shoes a 1/2 size larger, use water filled insoles and two pair of socks. My feet never hurt. But then I'm a guy so "big feet" aren't a problem:)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

I can't wear clogs - Dansko, Quarks, Crocs, any of 'em - without terrible metatarsal pain.

I have a pair of $20 Wal*Mark white leather sneakers that are great, and a $50 pair of Spring Step that I love. The trick, though, is a good arch support insert AND, as Nephro said, supphose.

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

I can't wear clogs - Dansko, Quarks, Crocs, any of 'em - without terrible metatarsal pain.
I have a pair of $20 Wal*Mark white leather sneakers that are great, and a $50 pair of Spring Step that I love. The trick, though, is a good arch support insert AND, as Nephro said, supphose.

Three pair for $20 bucks can't beat that.

cswain12000 · Mar 26, 2006

I just recently purchased a set of custom made orthotics--from a site on ebay!! They were $75.00. They sent me a foam impression kit which I sent back, and with in a week, I had my orthotics. After an initial breaking in period, they are absolutely wonderful!!!!! I was skeptical-purchasing something like that from ebay-but I thought for $75.00-what did I have to lose?? So, I ordered them, and I have noticed a difference in my feet, hips, and my back as well. Now, at this companies website the orthotics are $289.00, but on ebay the very same ones are 69.00 + shipping.

Just to let you all know--I am a nurse in Minneapolis-I do not work for this orthotic company, nor do I have stock in them or anything like that--just wanted to share what I find has really helped me. If anybody is interested you can PM me, and I will send you the info, or if enough are interested-I will post it here in a message.

Also--these orthotics are made to last for 10 - 12 years, so when you do wear out a pair of shoes, you are still putting your feet into the orthotics that they are used to, and still getting the benefit of a custom fit. Cindy