Foot care training

[kernow]

I have been interested in starting a foot care service for some time now and after reading posts from LoisJean feel this is something I can do. I would like to start out by receiving some kind of training but cannot find anyone who provides this type of course.

I have been in touch with LoisJean who has given me wonderful information about becoming an independent provider performing foot/nail care however I would like to take a course of some description to make myself more prefessional. I found a course titled "Foot & Nail care for Nurses" which sounds absolutely perfect but it is Wisconsin and I live in New York, I cannot find anything else closer to home.

If anyone has crossed this bridge already and can offer any advice I would be extremely grateful.

[Elaine123]

Hello everyone. I am very much interested in starting my own foot care business. I have been told that I do not have enough experience to pursue this. For those of you unable to travel the Medical University of South Carolina has their foot care program on a 4-part dvd. You can purchase it and when you are ready apply to take the certification exam through the wocn. Their web address is www.musc.edu click on continuing education. I have not received it yet, so I can not comment on it. If anyone has taken the certification exam and know of any additional reading material that may be helpful to me, please let me know. I am very excited about this and looking forward to a future in providing foot care. I have read every post regarding foot care and already have lots of ideas. First on my agenda is getting certified. I hope I have helped someone.

Hi everyone. I have been looking for a nail care course too. Vstar, what did you think of the 4 part DVD series? That sounds like a good thing - I don't want to travel to take a course, so it sounds perfect.

There is such a huge need for nail care in our community and I want to be able to safely provide this service.

Has anyone else found any useful training on the subject? Thanks! Elaine

[vstar1rn]

Hey Elaine,

I have yet to try it, but I am planning to order the dvd series in the next few weeks. I spoke with one of the ladies who actually helped with the certification test, and she recommended it. I'm real excited about it, and can't wait to get started. My sister's house burned early November, and my household increased by 6 people, so i've been unable to do anything extra. If you should get it and review it before I do, please let me know what you think and i will do the same.

[armstrong]

Hi everyone!

Just want you to know I am going to the Foot & Nail Care courses for RN's at the University of Wisconsin in a week.

I received a letter from my state board of nursing which leaves me thinking I should have not bothered.

For sake of privacy and respect I am not going to state board of nursing I am talking about, but did write them a letter asking about specifics. I was planning to start a health promotion and wellness business. Not even that I wanted to do foot care, but actually screening for foot problems that they could be referred back to their health care provider for care. I also planned on performing simple Clia waived tests: Hemoglobin AlC, Lipid profiles, blood pressure checks, urine tests for protein which is an indicates kidney disease. As you may or may not know Clia waived tests are those tests that are not complex and many of these the public can buy and do on there own. The only requirement for being a Clia waived provider is to fill out a paper and pay a fee. There are specific tests you are restricted to, but if you ever went to a health screening or health fair, chances are the majority of these were clia waived.

To make a long story short, the board stated " In order to perform foot care and other health & wellness promotion listed in your letter, a licensed physician in the state of _____________ is required to prescribe diagnostic testings, treatments, etc. As such, you may not establish an independent practice, unless you are recognized by the __________State Board of Nursing as an advanced practice nurse.

I didn't mean to ramble on, but it heeds warning to check with your state of nursing before investing time and money in something you will not be able to undertake.

It is kind of ironic, I was an LPN and enjoyed being in that capacity but decided I wanted to offer to others more than helping them get over an illness. I wanted to promote wellness. I obtained my BSN and can't see any difference in my role.

[ns lpn]

I have a client with some type of foot fungus that is affecting both great toenails and the 2nd digit on one of the feet. The client's doctor will not place her on oral meds and has not perscibed any creams. Last month when I went to do her foot care she had dye from iodine all over the nails and toes b/c someone in her family told her this would help and now the skin is dry and at risk for fissures. ??? Any suggestions - client will not go to a podiatrist and is now using tea tree oil on nails.

[ehresources]

The client can use OTC antifungals such as Canesten cream, Lamisil, etc. I recommend they speak with the pharmacist. Fungal infections of the nails are very hard and slow to treat. Topicals take a very long time (read 18 months or more), and aren't always effective. This client seems to want to treat it. Other remedies besides tea tree oil are Vick's Vaporub and wild oregano pills. There are other homeopathic remedies. The client should pursue it with her MD and pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions, etc.

Good luck,

[tempra]

I worked with a Podiatrist and heard numerous time to use Vick's Vapor rub.

Just put it on every night before bed. Patients actually said it did work, but took a long time. Maybe she'll agree to that. Good luck.

[ns lpn]

Thank-you for all the feed back. There are very few people around here I can get this information from and sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing ie..suggesting tea tree oil.

I did refer the lady back to her doctor b/c on my last visit the nail looked worse and there is nothing more I can do. I did also suggest wearing different pressure stockings (ones with open toes) if her doctor approves but I won't know untill she can get in to see her doctor what will be done. Is suggesting the use of these things ie..tea tree, vicks ect.. okay?

[ns lpn]

Good advice, thanks.

[Wgbem]

How do you start this business? Is anyone out there running this foot care business full time?

[rouqie]

I just wanted to post and thank everyone for the information. I am an LPN who actually loves doing feet my place of work has been having me do all the diabetic foot care trimming and monitoring in between podiatrist visits. I love it. Thanks for all the information and for letting me know that it's normal to like to take care of feet. I was begining to think I just had a crazy pruely non sexual fetish.

[Hisdaughter]

Hello fellow footcare nurses,

I'd appreciate some help. My foot care clinic has been soaking feet in warm water for five minutes prior to assessment and trim. I would like to switch to using a spray solution I have heard something about...but do not quite remember. I think it was a mixture of 16 oz water with 1 oz each of mineral oil, alcohol and antibacterial liquid soap. Is that correct? Do I rinse with a warm wash cloth to avoid a problem with the soap being left on? For those who have used it, are you satisfied with the spray? I hate to encourage folks to soak their feet when it really is not the best thing to do. It is also time consuming. Thanks for all your input.

[shorehamlpn]

Tutti...can you send me the link for the website of Anne Nelson?

I have been searching all over for a canadian certification site/school for both Basic & Advanced foot care.

Many Thanks