Doctors and nurses: Put your
best foot forward
Is there such a thing as the
best shoes for doctors and nurses working in hospitals? The best shoes for
doctors or nurses working in hospital settings will be the ones that are right
for the individual who is going to wear them. Remember that everyone's feet are
different, in one way or another. Be aware that work shoes that may be good for
one doctor or nurse, may not necessarily be appropriate for others.
Doctors and nurses spend many,
long hours on their feet. There may be times during a hospital shift, when they
are able to take their shoes off, but this does not happen often, so wearing good
fitting shoes is important.
"Walk a mile in my
shoes," most doctors and nurses are tempted to say to those who do not
understand, when they complain about having sore feet, at the end of a day.
Going home after work with ankle, foot, knee, leg or back pain, may indicate
that there could be a problem with one's shoes. Having blisters on one's feet
is not fun.
Many nurses and doctors walk to
and from work and thus, they may need shoes that are appropriate for walking
outdoors, as well as indoors.
Is there a rule of thumb that
states whether a pair of shoes is appropriate for doctors or nurses actively
engaged in hospital work? No, there is not, but "If the
shoe fits, wear it." It is advisable to check hospital directives with
regard to their recommendations about appropriate, professional footwear.
Shoe styles for doctors and
nurses are continually in a state of transition. It is a good idea to shop
around. Begin to do serious shopping, so that you know what is currently
available online. Take time to browse locally and try on different styles of
shoes. As a prospective buyer on a shoe shopping excursion, ask yourself or the
sales clerk, some of the following questions:
Do you like the general
appearance of the shoes that you are about to purchase? Your shoes should be
aesthetically pleasing, to you as well as to others.
Are the shoes a good fit for
you? In other words, are they the right size, proper width and correct length
for your feet? If they not, you may have sore feet, blisters and toes that
appear bruised.
Will the arch of the shoes
allow sufficient support for a full day's activity at work? All doctors and
nurses need to wear shoes that give them the proper arch support in order to
avoid stress on their knees and lower backs. No one wants fallen arches.
Is there a soft, comfortable,
breathable lining inside the shoes that will prevent skin irritation? Are there
areas on the inside of the heels that make your feet feel uncomfortable when
you try them on or walk in them? Don't purchase them.
Would slip-on shoes be more
appropriate for you because you can take them off occasionally, when you are at
work? Sometimes, when you are sitting, you may be able to remove your shoes,
although that is often discouraged in hospitals for hygienic reasons.
Do both of the shoes fit your
feet well? Are they equally comfortable for you to wear? Sometimes people have
feet that are slightly different in size or shape, so it is a good idea to try
both shoes on and walk around in them, before you make a purchase.
Even expensive shoes can be slightly different, at times.
Are you going to be wearing
socks, knee high or ankle high hosiery? Do the shoes fit well when you try them
on, wearing the kind of hosiery that you prefer? Never purchase shoes that are
uncomfortable when you try them on, as they probably will not become
comfortable later on either. They may look great, but if your feet hurt when you are
wearing them, it will soon become evident. If they are not comfortable when you
wear one kind of hosiery, you may be able to find other kinds of hosiery to
wear with them, but don't count on it.
Are the shoes you plan to buy,
light in weight or do they feel heavy on your feet? You do not want to be
carrying any extra weight, all day, every day.
When you examine the shoes, do
they feel hard or soft? They may prove to be either too hard or too soft for
you to wear, for any length of time. Will you have to break them in first or
could you walk out of the store and feel comfortable wearing them?
Do they breathe well? Leather
shoes breathe well, while synthetic or rubber shoes may not. Ventilation in
your shoes is important, so that your feet do not perspire or become
over-heated. While rubber soles may feel more comfortable to wear than leather
soles, shoes constructed entirely of rubber, may prove to be too warm and
become uncomfortable, when you have to wear them all day.
Are you considering clogs that
have noisy, wooden soles? That may not be a good idea. Are you thinking about
purchasing sandals? Will they be safe to wear at work? Accidents can happen, so
protect your feet by wearing safety shoes. You do not want to have toes or other
parts of your feet injured by a bed, stretcher or a wheelchair.
Do the shoes have a good tread?
Is it appropriate for where you want or need to walk, during your shift? Perhaps
you enjoy walking outdoors at lunchtime, regardless of the weather. Treads are
important, particularly when there is ice.
Are the new shoes
slip-resistant? At times, there may be water or other liquids spilled on the
floor. Avoiding falls and injuries is important for doctors and nurses.
How long will the soles of your
shoes last? Long wear and stability is important. You do not want to find out
that there are holes in the soles of your shoes, after you have worn them for a
short while; nor do you want to find seams that have let go, while you are at
work.
If the shoes have laces, are
they strong and sturdy? Knots, tied in shoelaces, do not look professional;
neither do broken buckles.
What is the actual cost of the pair of shoes, in comparison
to the length of time that you will be able to wear them? Buying the least
expensive shoes can prove to be the most costly, over time. You may have to
purchase new shoes again, almost immediately. Buying the most expensive shoes
is not always advisable either, if they are not a good style of shoe for you to
wear. In other words, purchasing designer shoes for work may not be practical.
Is there a warranty that covers your shoes? Good quality shoes will have a reliable warranty that covers both workmanship and quality, but not always. Read your warranty and make certain that you have done whatever is necessary in order to qualify for it. Then, you can return your shoes if you need to do so. Find out what your online shop or store's policy is on returns.
Do your shoes have impact
resistance and cushioning? In other words, when you are walking on hard floors
or on the sidewalk, is the impact absorbed by your shoes or is it your feet,
knees and spine that take the punishment? This is always important for anyone
who walks many miles, in a day.
Are your shoes going to be easy
to take care of? Will they be hygienic? This is important for doctors and
nurses working in a hospital environment, particularly when there are serious,
global concerns about spreading infections, like the H1N1 virus. It may be
advisable to leave your hospital shoes at work and wear other shoes to and from
work, in order to protect your family and friends.
Are they affordable? During a
time of global economic hardship, it is important to be able to purchase
affordable shoes. Because of the worldwide shortage of doctors and nurses,
footwear becomes increasingly important to them, as their hours of work may
increase.
Are your shoes stylish or in
vogue? Are they already time-dated? Many good quality shoes never go out of style.
While that may not seem important, maintaining a professional appearance is
always a good idea, so shop for shoes wisely and then, put your best foot
forward. You will be glad that you did.
Why not look at shoes of today,
for doctors and nurses, on the following, randomly chosen web sites:
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