The 12 Best Shoes for Nurses, According to Podiatrists and Real Healthcare Workers
From Brooks to Crocs, these are the best kicks for standing all day.
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Many R.N.s spend long days standing on their feet, making the proper footwear important to avoid pain and even potential injury. The best shoes for nurses support arches, offer ample cushion, and grip the floor to avoid slipping when running between patients.
Meet the experts: Asim Sayed, D.P.M., A.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in Kansas City, MO; Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas; Katie Levitt, N.P., a nurse practitioner in NYC; Leah Weiss, R.N., a nurse in NYC; and Ali Walker, P.T., D.P.T., N.C.S., a physical therapist in Florida.
“Nursing footwear is very individual,” explains Leah Weiss, R.N., a registered nurse in NYC. Depending on your needs, you may require shoes for plantar fasciitis, shoes for back pain, or even shoes to wear with orthotics. “Not wearing the right shoes can cause many issues aside from foot discomfort, including pain in the hips, knees, and back, so it’s important to have a good stable pair of shoes that put your body in the correct equilibrium,” Asim Sayed, D.P.M., A.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in Kansas City, MO, explains. “The longer you are on your feet with bad or uncomfortable shoes, the worse those problems can become. This is especially important for people who have jobs that force them to be on their feet all day.”
Ahead, find the best shoes for nurses and workers who stand on their feet all day.
Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.
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