pain in the ***

Shoes.... get a good pair of walking shoes to wear on the floor. I reccomend New Balance or Danskos if you can afford them.

I started stretching before I went to work and that seems to help some too. That helped not just my legs but my lower back as well.

Eat a banana in the morning and an orange at lunch. Drink water and try to take at least one ten minute break in the midst of the chaos if you can.

Best of Luck to you. YOU CAN DO IT!

Can I jump in with a similar question? I am still a prereq nursing student, but I know I'm gonna have back pain once I become a nurse. Standing for long periods of time causes my lower back to ache.

I imagine to a great extent I'll just have to get used to it, but any other pointers? Is it all about shoes, or do you guys use back supports and other stuff? Thanks.

pain in the LEG :)

i'm a 3rd quarter nursing student - we have clinicals every other week for two days (4.5hrs each day). when i come home at night my legs ache so badly i cry. i've worked as a barista and in ltc, so i'm used to standing long hours. i work out 3-4 times a week lifting and doing cardio. what's the deal? i think my shoes are the most likely culprit, so i just bought insoles and that helped, but my legs still ache. i also wear support nylons....oh, and I'm 22. this problem is only likely to get worse.

any ideas? what do you do to prevent aches and pains? thanks :)

Will your nursing school allow you to wear Crocs (without the holes?) That's the only thing I have found (tried New Balance, Skecher, Nike) that I can wear and my legs don't feel like they weigh 50 pounds (and ACHE!) when I get off work.

Get some Croc's and slip arch supports in them. No more leg/back pain! I wore running/walking/crosstrainers and Dankso's and always had back/leg pain - even after just an 8 hour shift. Now I work 12's, and hardly ever have pain. The Croc's are rubbery, so you have great shock absorption on hard hospital floors and they feel like slippers. But, I have high arches and the arch supports add extra support and keep my foot from sliding so much. Best of all, Croc's are only $30 - $40! If they're not in your area, go to www.crocs.com.

No matter what shoe you finally choose, the first time you go to buy them, go to a retail store where you can try them on, and return them if they do not help the leg pain with in a few days.

Sears, Wal-mart, some uniform clothing stores will allow returns/exchanges with a reciept and the shoes being gently used. (clean, no poop or puke on them)

The brace thing is a matter of preference most of the time. I wore one when I sprained my LS last summer. The facilty where I work requires the aids to wear back braces and use them when they are moving/transferring patients.

edited for spelling.

The Croc's are rubbery, so you have great shock absorption on hard hospital floors and they feel like slippers.

:yeahthat:

Best of all, Croc's are only $30 - $40! If they're not in your area, go to www.crocs.com.

:yelclap: $29.99 everywhere I've looked!

Maybe try some support hose.

Have you seen a physician about this? If you are truly in pain severe enough to make you cry (esp. after such a short shift) you may have a circulation problem. If it doesn't improve with different shoes or inserts maybe you should have someone check it out.

Have you seen a physician about this? If you are truly in pain severe enough to make you cry (esp. after such a short shift) you may have a circulation problem. If it doesn't improve with different shoes or inserts maybe you should have someone check it out.

:yeahthat:

I love Crocs!!! I work 16 hr. shifts. Crocs are the only shoes that I've found that I don't go home with back pain, foot pain &/or leg pain. They can also be thrown in the washer with a detergent with bleach for cleaning. When I first saw crocs I thought I would never wear them (thought they were ugly), but tried them on & threw away my Danskos on the way out of the mall!!

pain in the LEG :)

i'm a 3rd quarter nursing student - we have clinicals every other week for two days (4.5hrs each day). when i come home at night my legs ache so badly i cry. i've worked as a barista and in ltc, so i'm used to standing long hours. i work out 3-4 times a week lifting and doing cardio. what's the deal? i think my shoes are the most likely culprit, so i just bought insoles and that helped, but my legs still ache. i also wear support nylons....oh, and I'm 22. this problem is only likely to get worse.

any ideas? what do you do to prevent aches and pains? thanks :)

Ryka sneakers (walking) are GREAT! They can be found in many athletic stores & can also be purchased through www.QVC.com. They're a little expensive but definitely worth it. They have a nitrogen gel support that works wonders. BTW, they're sneakers "made by women for women". I work 12 hour shifts in a busy trauma unit. Rykas are the only sneakers I can wear without tears at the end of the day.

:yelclap: $29.99 everywhere I've looked!

True, the original Crocs are only $29.99, but it's a lot safer to order thir "professional" model for $39.99 instead. They don't usually sell them in the stores, so you'll have to order them online. They have vents on the side for air circulation, but the top doesn't have all those little holes. They're a little more professional looking (hence the name?) and if you spill something on your feet, there are no holes on top. Plus, the vent holes on the side have ridges to divert the liquid away so it doesn't get into those holes either.

http://shop.crocs.com/pc-23-4-professional.aspx?reqid=23&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

As for those of you with lower back pain, I'd suggest strengthening your abdominal muscles. If you have a larger chest, order one of those support bras from JC Penny or a similar store - they have a lot of back support that balances you out. I actually had a breast reduction during nursing school and now I rarely have any back pain at all.