Need Shoe Advice From Nursing Students

Streamline2010 · Dec 10, 2011

There is a discussion (one or more) of shoes in the shoe and uniform thread. Walking shoes ought to be pretty decent. I like the Reebok Evaluate Trainer quite well, bit it doesn't come in all-white, so I got white shoe "dye" that 's really a paint from a shoe repair shot and painted out the color graphics. (Brush it on with an artist brush from the $1 store.)

Another shoe that I wore a lot was (don't laugh) Easy Spirit Girl Power in white, again with the (gray) stripe painted over. They lace, have a cushy sole, a wide enough toe box, and can be bought for about $40 at the ES outlet stores.

I tried the Skechers "Register" XW low rocker shoes before that, and those are great for walking around all day, but they killed my arches if I had to stand in them at clinicals, so they got replaced by those other two. A different Skecher shoe that's not rocker may fit your budget, too. One of the other students had the higher rocker shoes and loved them, but rockers are banned at some hospitals due to danger of turning an ankle.

If you can wear men's sizes or you have feet that can tolerate just about any shoe, then your low priced options might be greater than mine. I wear a women's 5.5 and need a shoe with a downward slope to the ball of the foot. had to be solid leather or vinyl without perfs or mesh, too. Limits my choices, a lot.

mrsjbrent06 · Dec 10, 2011

thanks! I will check those out!

Columnist · Dec 10, 2011

Moved to Nursing Scrubs/Uniforms/Gear forum.

metabolicfrolic · Dec 13, 2011

New Balance 927's are the best. They will definitely exceed your budget (about $109 or so), but good shoes are worth the investment. I cannot stress that enough. I bought some $50 clogs on sale and started clinicals with them, but one year in realized I should have sprung for the better shoe to start out with. Makes a world of difference!

NurseBear.com · Dec 14, 2011

I have tried Nike Shox, Sketchers, New Balance, Dansko, and Crocs. I ended up getting Ready Set Jet Sketchers. They are very comfortable and light. Aso they are reasonably priced.

RNfor918 · Jan 2, 2012

The best nursing shoes (for school and anyone else) I have ever found are the Nike AS V Walker shoes. They are all white so they will work for school, and are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn as a nurse. FYI- they tend to run on the small and narrow side. I usually wear 7s in sneakers and 6.5 or 7 in dress shoes/sandals, but I buy 7.5 for the AV S walkers. They are hard to find. The first pair I bought at Famous Footwear 2 years ago, but couldn't find them recently when I went back to buy a 2nd pair. I just bought another pair at nike.com. They run $62 for the shoe, $8 for the shipping and around $6 for tax. Mine lasted the full 2 years of nursing school when I had them. When they got dirty, I'd just throw them in with my white's and they came out looking like a dream. Best nursing shoes ever- for students & any nurse. I've worked 16 hour shifts with no foot pain, back pain, ANY pain. It is like waking on pillows- so light & comfortable. I'll cry if they discontinue them.

lrobinson5 · Jan 2, 2012

Skechers shape-ups have a line of work shoes that come in either all black or all white. I bought a pair of mary jane shape ups that are VERY comfortable. I found them at a clearance store at the mall for $30, but I think they are around $45 at a skechers warehouse.

The reason I like them is they have a lot of cushioning, and if you have to change uniforms during the day (Like we had to for our OR rotation) it only takes 2 seconds to get the shoes on and off.