Male Nursing Student needing advice - What shoes to wear???

[rtyo1]

Good morning everyone,

So I just got accepted into my 11-month post-bacc program, and start in January. Now I know that we need our program-mandated scrubs, but I am hitting a WALL deciding what shoes to get for my clinicals. I mean, I know I am going to be on my feet for 12 hours a day here, but what am I supposed to get for shoes? The scrub stores have a lot in the way of shoes for female nurses, but what about the guys? I am thinking about just getting a pair of Nikes, honestly.

Small side note - the shoes must be WHITE for my program.

Any suggestions?

[setho1993]

My school required me to have a pair of all white shoes. I hated the way all typical all white nursing shoes looked and felt so I ordered a pair of Nike Free Runs 5.0 in all white. They were expensive but after logging many hours on my feet, I'd say it was money well invested.

[mrnightinggale]

I see a lot of people wearing running shoes but I always think, "those suckers are MRSA/VRE magnets". When a patient barfs, craps, pees and/or bleeds on them, do you throw them away? I am currently wearing these: Amazon.com: MOZO Men's Sharkz Hospital Shoe: Shoeshey are good for standing around in but not so good for long walks. At least I can clean them with a pressure washer and bleach if need be. They are bomb-proof.

[Peak Curiosity]

Just get the most comfortable walking shoes you can get.

[november17, ASN, RN]

I went through a zillion shoes before I found the shoes that were just right for me. Price doesn't necessarily translate into comfort, btw. I'd tried all sorts of different shoe types and brands.

I'd recommend walking or running shoes with good ventilation and a V at the back so it doesn't rub against your achilles tendon. If they start getting uncomfortable after the break-in period (a week or two of 12 hour shifts), get a good pair of gel inserts and use those until you're ready to buy another pair of shoes, then try a different type of shoe in the future. I've done all sorts of crazy things in the past to make my shoes more comfortable including surgery with scissors and super glue for various problems like something on the inside rubbing against my foot.

The best shoe I've found so far for work is the Dr. Scholl's Grayson Dr. Scholl's - Men's Grayson Sneakers: Shoes : Walmart.com - I liked them so much I bought 4 pairs and have been getting a new pair out when the old ones start getting worn out and uncomfortable. I'm glad I did because I believe Dr. Scholl's stopped making them. Again, they were the best shoe I found and they were only about $30 a pair. Which goes to show you that price doesn't always necessarily translate into quality or comfort. However what works for one person's foot doesn't always work for everyone's - and even the most comfortable shoe that you try on in the shoe store can translate into pain and soreness after 12 hours on your feet wearing them. Unfortunately, I'm on my last pair of graysons now, so I've got to start trying out different shoes again...bleh

I used to go the plastic shoe route because I could disinfect them, but it wasn't worth the pain/soreness everyday when I got off work. I know those types of shoes work for some people but just not me. I didn't like the croc type shoes because of the "croc stop" phenomenon, the muscle soreness I felt during and after work (they don't support my arch properly), and how quickly the treads wore out. I know athletic shoes look like germ magnets but you just have to be prepared to get rid of them when they start getting visibly soiled. Honestly I would toss my shoes if I got poop or blood on them (pees sterile remember, lol), but in 7 years at the bedside that hasn't had to happen yet so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Sure I've stepped in that stuff, but I just clean the soles with chlorhexadine and bleach when it happens and I always leave my shoes on the doorstep when I get home.

[satinpharaoh]

Wear any shoes,if your feet hurt nurse yourself

[ThatBigGuy]

I chose Nike Air Max Wrights for 2 reasons. First, they come in all white. Secondly, they are all leather, including the toe box, so they protect your toes pretty well against fluids. They are a little bit on the heavy side due to the extensive use of leather, but are comfortable, allow room for your favorite insole, and are extremely quiet on hard floor. I have two male classmates that have purchased the Air Max 90s and like them, and they very similar to the Air Max Wrights. One other classmate found a pair of all white Nike Shox with an all leather upper, but they are hard to find. You can still find all white Air Force 1s, too.

I would urge you to make sure you get all leather uppers. Sure, mesh in the toe section reduces weight and allows more air movement, but your shoes will be trashed the first time some one expels a body fluid on them. I've had blood, vomit, and feces splash onto my shoes, and it cleaned right off with a peroxide wipe.

[mh0712, MSN, RN]

I'm a sucker for Nike shox. I love them but sometimes they wear awkward and can bother your feet later. I have had 4 or 5 pairs and I flip between four work shoes now and two are shox. Make sure you try to get leather and no mesh on top so if u drop a needle it doesn't land in your foot. In nursing school I said oh that would never happen, about a month into my job I dropped a saline flush with an 18 gauge needle on it into my shoe- thank goodness it was clean as I was about to mix IV protonix, the needle didn't even piece the shoe, but if it was mesh I would have been in a lot of pain lol. So be aware that good thick leather shoes are what you need!

[PG2018]

I bought some New Balance walking shoes. They were hideous, and I only wore them to clinical. I buried them away in the catacombs of the closet, but in hindsight I should use them to work out in now. I'm even older now and don't care what anybody thinks anymore, lol. Age is wonderful.