Do you have time to cut diabetic toenails?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I am being told at my job that only nurses can cut the diabetic's fingernails and toenails. I am already being criticized and condemned for staying overtime to complete new doctor's orders, charting,etc. for the day. If I were to stay over to help cut toenails I am sure management would be furious. What do you do at your facility?

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I'm not sure I've ever worked anywhere where even nurses are allowed to do it. Where I work now, only doctors are allowed to.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Frankly, I feel much safer having a podiatrist do ANYONE'S hard, thick, contorted, fungus-y toenails, just because I don't trust my own skill (and yes, feet are gross!). And diabetics---well, I wouldn't touch their toes with a ten-foot orangewood stick......there's way too much that can go sideways there.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

At my hospital only podiatrists are allowed to cut toenails. Way to many potential problems for a nurse to take on that responsibility.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology/Telemetry/ICU.

Thank god, NO!! They're gross! :D

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Specializes in Surgical Intensive Care.

Our hospital policy forbids us to cut the toenails of diabetic pts.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
I'm not sure I've ever worked anywhere where even nurses are allowed to do it. Where I work now, only doctors are allowed to.

Which is one of the reasons I didn't feel super comfy in AL. They seem to think that because they are not a LTC or acute facility that they don't need to follow basic health rules.

Black cat, I would refuse. If something were to happen (and well it could!), it would be on your license, and your conscience. It doesn't matter if there were ONE diabetic resident and 10 ft nurses. It's not your place and is not best practice for the patient. If they told you it's part of your job I'd offer maybe to schedule a visiting podiatrist (or general MD if willing) to come twice a week. Print out some studies, I'm sure you could find some good ones if you googled it.

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Specializes in nursing home care.

Fully agree, podiatrist only allowed to cut diabetic toe nails over here in UK although in saying that our local podiatry team are so bad, you are lucky if they come out once a year!

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The only diabetic toenails I have time to do are my mothers. She also goes to the podiatrist every 6 months or so, and he says I am doing a good job. She is a retired nurse so knows to watch them, though I do yell at her on occasion.

Missy

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.
I thought diabetics should have only the podiatrist clip their toe nails....

Me, too.

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I don't cut diabetic toenails. From everything I have heard at work and school, that is not in my scope of practice. I am not a diabetic nurse, so I don't know if that would change things.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I've been a nurse for 25 years and NEVER once have cut anyone's toenails.

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Thanks all. I have done diabetic toenails but it makes me "very nervous." I agree it is best if only podiatrists do it. I have never received any specific training on how to cut diabetic toenails safely. I think I will contact my state board of nursing and see what they have to say about this matter.

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