Things you'd never have done before...

[hiddencatRN]

Oh, how nursing changes you. I'm a new grad, been working a few months. I've never been in to pedicures but the more 12 hour shifts I spend running around, the more enticing they seem if only for the footrub part. I'm very close to getting over the ick factor of having a stranger touch my feet with tools of questionable cleanliness.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I've had pedis before and hate when they scrape at my feet. Don't care about the nail polish, but I can only get so many foot rubs out of DH in a week.

I also used to not be a big coffee drinker too and now get caffeine headaches on days off if I skip the coffee.

[KayRN910]

Ahhhhh, pedi's are requirements for me and my friend (who is also a nurse). It's not just about the foot rub, but the idea of treating yourself to something relaxing and enjoyable. If you dont find pedi's relaxing and enjoyable, go a massage instead, but you have to have some way of rewarding yourself. :) (That's my justification for my $25 pedicure... lol)

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I tend to reward myself with a big fat plate of seafood pasta and a gorgeous glass of Claret.

[FancypantsRN]

I try to do the pedi thing.... but I end up giggling like a loon so it ends up not being very relaxing (it tickles too badly). A massage.... that would be nice. Haven't even had my hair done in about 6 months.... I am probably due for some pampering myself.

[cindyloowho]

I never had manicures, just painted my own nails because I can't stand to have bare nails. But with washing my hands so much, the polish won't even last 1 shift on my thin nails...so now I get gel manicures evry 2 weeks and it savs me the time of doing my own nails every other day!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I never had manicures, just painted my own nails because I can't stand to have bare nails. But with washing my hands so much, the polish won't even last 1 shift on my thin nails...so now I get gel manicures evry 2 weeks and it savs me the time of doing my own nails every other day!

You know Cindy, I have a question about the gel manicures. I was thinking about doing this (called shellacking? something like that?) but I am worried that it may be perceived by our infection control army as being classified as artificial nails. I understand that no tips are put on the nails, but the gelcoat goes over the nail and has to be filled in periodically? Is that right? Forgive this old country girl over here-my idea of pampering is buying a new Penn reel.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

You know Cindy, I have a question about the gel manicures. I was thinking about doing this (called shellacking? something like that?) but I am worried that it may be perceived by our infection control army as being classified as artificial nails. I understand that no tips are put on the nails, but the gelcoat goes over the nail and has to be filled in periodically? Is that right? Forgive this old country girl over here-my idea of pampering is buying a new Penn reel.

I think anything that covers your natural nail would be perceived as an 'artificial' nail. It wouldn't matter if a tip was placed on the nail or not. It's the gel coat or acrylic that harbors bacteria more than the natural nail, I believe. And yes, it would have to be filled in as your nails grow (approx Q 2 wks), it's a lot of maintenance to keep them up. With frequent handwashing the edges will also lift giving bacteria a place to hide out and transfer to other patients. Yuck.

Sorry for the hijack.

I've done a pedicure once with a gift certificate I recieved. Coouldn't stand it as my feet are too ticklish, it was torture to me. I do enjoy occ massages though.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

You know Cindy, I have a question about the gel manicures. I was thinking about doing this (called shellacking? something like that?) but I am worried that it may be perceived by our infection control army as being classified as artificial nails. I understand that no tips are put on the nails, but the gelcoat goes over the nail and has to be filled in periodically? Is that right? Forgive this old country girl over here-my idea of pampering is buying a new Penn reel.

The gel nails would fall under the same category as artificial nails. Same risks. If your facility wouldn't allow artificial nails, they would/should not allow this.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

My foot rubs come from dh. I just buy some really nice foot massage oil and toss it in his lap along with my feet.

I do my nails every Monday night. I buy nice polish and treat myself. I can't go to those mani/pedi places. I too am ticklish and I don't like people messing with my feet. I wish I could do massages, but I don't want people looking at my nekked body!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I wish I could do massages, but I don't want people looking at my nekked body!

I thought that would bother me too, but the lady I go to does it very professionally. I get a nice soft cloth drape to go over all the parts she's not massaging at the moment. There's never a time when something is uncovered unnecessarily.

[cindyloowho]

No, we are allowed gel nails as it is considered just a strong polish. And no, you don't get it filled...you take it off and replace it every 2 weeks. It doesn't chip or peel, thus making it harbor less bacteria and fungus than even regular nail polish.

[stephie_love]

Try to find a nail salon that does not have the jet tubs for pedicures...although they feel mighty lovely on your tootsies, bacteria likes to harbor in jet tubing! We go to a place that has a bowl (almost like a sink), that the nail techs rinse out and sanitize with each new client. Also, be sure they have an autoclave to sterilize their pedi tools.

You owe yourself some pampering!! Go for it! :heartbeat