Oh! My feet! What are the best shoes to wear at work??

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi!

I'm a first semester nursing student and unlike some of my counterparts, my clinical group is in full swing! I'm finding out fast that the white shoes I purchased for school (dr. Scholl's) are not cutting it on the NH floor. And they are the second pair I've bought so far. I came home today and had to elevate my legs, they are throbbing. Can anyone offer advice on the best shoes for comfort that are also reasonably priced? I've been to some stores specifically for nursing and the shoes were as expensive as Jordan's! I just can't afford that right now and I need better shoes by Friday. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

It really depends on your feet. I prefer Nikes with the cheap Dr. Scholls tri-comfort insoles. Nikes were also the only brand of running shoe I could wear to workout until the minimal drop shoe craze began.

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Love love love my Danskos! I know they're spendy, but they last forever & feel AMAZING!

I'm going to get compression socks too, they help with varicose veins as well!! =)

Good luck!

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Danskos- they suck at first but once you break them in they're a dream! Love them!

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I guess the hardest part about finding comfortable shoes were making sure they were all white. I mean they can't have anything on them otherwise I'll fail clinical. Would it be cheesy if I just spray painted my most comfortable pair of NBs??

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Mine are just a $40 pair of Reeboks. What made a huge difference was buying an insole. My insole is from Superfeet and they have a ton of different options depending on your foot type. I went from awful foot and ankle pain to absolutely no discomfort after using them for a week or two. I think they have a 30 day return policy if you'd rather try those in the shoe you currently have first.

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I wear Danskos. I got my first pair in nursing school because that's what all the cool nurses at clinical were wearing (seriously!). Luckily, they worked out well for me. I've never had foot, leg, or back pain since I bought them. Once during a bad snow storm I was stranded at the hospital for a few days in snow boots. My car was stuck in a snow bank and I had left my Danskos in the passenger seat. Those 12 hour shifts in boots definitely illustrated the importance of the right shoe. I was limping for days afterwards! If it means spending a little money, IMO it's worth it 100%. Plus, I got my first pair for only $90 off eBay because there was a small imperfection in the coloring on one of the shoes :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

See if there is a "Marti & Liz" shoe store in your area. I've bought my last couple plain color pairs of Dansko there for about $50 each. They basically sell shoes that have been returned and can't be sold as new. Both pair have had nothing wrong with them.

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I was in your "shoes" a few months ago. Since I'm only in clinical one day per week, I figured I'd go cheap at first and upgrade later when I found something better. But you know what? I like my making-do shoes a lot. They were from Payle$$, called "Men's ATR Tip-Off Low Leather Basketball Shoe". Mine were $35, but now it looks like they're on clearance for a lot less.

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Specializes in LAD.

I like tennis shoes. I recently bought a pair of Asics and they feel like clouds.

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Propet is worth trying. They have arch support and are comfortable, also sell a white leather that is machine washable. It may cost you $70-80, but well worth it. Really, the shoe is individual to you and your feet. Nursemates that I originally purchased for first semester were put on the shelf quickly. Sketchers are my back-up shoes, but the absolute best for me are the Propet that came recommended from several other nursing friends. Good luck - may you have "happy feet" soon :)

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I second, third, fourth, fifth, the compression stockings! A friend of mine quit nursing school and I inherited her old scrubs and a couple new pairs of the stockings and wowwww... I still wear socks over them so if my scrubs come up I don't look like an old lady haha! Also, a good pair of insoles might be just the trick for you. We had to wear all leather, all white (why not all black, as literally those are EVERYWHERE with restaurant workers lol), and since I'm vegan and don't wear leather I was pretty limited by leather look a likes but a good pair of insoles actually made them very comfortable.

I also found the more I just "stood" the worse it was. When I precepted, I did 1/2 half behavioral health and 1/2 ER, even though I walked/ran waaaaay more in the ER my feet never hurt as bad as when I had to just stand in behavioral health, so if you find you have to stand a lot in clinicals, be sure to try to move around. I also would take short breaks to stretch my calves and ankles and those seemed to help too or do it when I am charting. Good shoes make alllll the difference though (and if you aren't careful, can migrate to back pain! Ouch!).

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I actually just went to 'the walking company' near my house, because I wanted to see for myself if danskos were a comfy shoe. The first 2 cheaper styles didn't fit well...then I tried on the Pro XP dansko in white...$139 but let me tell you, they felt amazing! I have high arches in my feet and was told they don't work for everyone but I'm definitely getting those for nursing school & for my future nursing job!

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