Send this to a friend Your email Recipient emailHealthy feet are among a nurse's most important assets. Working long hours on your feet make proper footgear not only helpful, but essential. "The most important consideration for healthy shoe wear is the accommodation of the width of your foot," said Dr. Barbara Bergin, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Austin, Texas. "The next consideration is arch support." Your shoes should also provide ample support and fit the general shape of your feet well. Because feet needs vary, the brand that works for one nurse may not work for you. The most important consideration for healthy shoe wear is the accommodation of the width of your foot. The next consideration is arch support. Barbara Bergin, orthopedic surgeon The ability to easily slip backless shoes on and off may seem appealing, but they are a major don't for nurses, according to Bergin. "There are only two ways a backless shoe stays on your foot," she said.

"Either it’s tight across the arch, or you have to use your toes to hold it on when your foot is in the swing phase of your gait."High-quality clogs, said Bergin, who wears and often recommends to her patients Dansko clogs. Husband and wife team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup created Dansko shoes with lasting comfort in mind. "Your foot kind of floats in the shoe and seeks its level of comfort," said Bergin. "Because it stays balanced on your foot with the finger breadth of space, there is no compression on sensitive areas." As of 2013, most Dansko clogs cost $115 to $145 at a variety of retail and online stores. "As a fitness trainer, I've got to have a power-house shoe, one that I can rely on when exercising or hitting the pavement to train clients," said Shawnee Harkins, creator and producer of fitness themed TV shows, including "Fit in the Street." She wears and recommends Therafit shoes, a line co-created by Dr. Lisa Masterson, an obstetrician/gynecologist and host of the TV show "The Doctors."

Therafit's patented Personalized Comfort System allows you to adjust the impact protection and cushion level to suit your personal needs and preferences. The wedge absorbs shock, and the outsole can be adjusted to increase or decrease impact resistance. "Therafit [shoes are] the embodiment of a proper shoe for exercise, play and work," Harkins said, adding that they can help relieve muscle and joint pain while guarding against occupational injuries. Most Therafit walking shoes sell for $95 through the company's website. nike summer shoes saleIf your shoes don't fulfill your expectations, you can exchange or return them at no charge for up to 30 days after the purchase date.nike shoes free run 3 price Nike Free shoes are designed to let your feet move more freely and naturally than typical athletic shoes. on running shoes miami

The company's website claims this freedom allows your feet to grow stronger over time. "Nike Free is my favorite shoe for walking around in all day," said Heather Binns, a certified personal trainer and coach at Full of Life Fitness in North Hollywood, California. While some shoes are best suited for narrow feet, Nike Free is designed for average-width and wider feet. Because you'll likely use muscles in your feet more than you're accustomed to, Nike recommends you make a gradual transition from your current shoes to Nike Free. nike air max shoes descriptionNike Free shoes are available at most online and brick-and-mortar shoe stores and sell for $95 to $160.nike run shoe female Binns and Bergin both recommend New Balance as a suitable brand for nurses -- and you need not opt for walking-specific styles. running shoes shop ireland

Running shoes, for example, are designed for high levels of impact and activity. "New Balance makes a high-quality running shoe," Bergin said. "In general, I think good quality running shoes make good work shoes." As an added perk, New Balance stores are staffed with professionals who can help you make the best purchasing decision while allowing you to learn more about your shoe-fitting needs. New Balance running shoe prices range from about $64.99 to $174.99, depending on the make and model. They're available at most athletic shoe stores and websites. Dr. Jordana Szpiro, a podiatrist and board-certified foot surgeon in Boston, recommends nurses seek a "well-cushioned shoe with a supportive sole with some give and good arch support, well contoured to your foot." Her prime example is Nurse Mates. As the name suggests, Nurse Mates are specifically designed to meet the demands of a nurse's hectic, on-the-go work demands. Most are black or white with slip-resistant soles.

For the best support, choose Nurse Mates clogs with a back or an athletic-style shoe that suits your foot arch and width. Nurse Mates clogs and lace-up athletic shoes range in price from $67.95 to $77.95. If you don't want to buy them through the company's website, you can pin down the retailer nearest to through the company's virtual store finder.Chances are, you know at least one person who's a nurse, or maybe you're a proud nurse yourself (in which case, thank you!). Nursing is such an important profession, and one that often doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. Nurses provide support to others around the clock, but they don't always think to take the same care of themselves, especially their feet. We asked for input from several nurses, and after hearing their feedback, have compiled the top five features they look for in a work shoe. In this Best of the Best series, we're ranking the best styles of nursing shoes for the categories of comfort, white, slip resistance, for dealing with pesky, foot related ailments like plantar fasciitis, and for men.

1. Most Comfortable Nursing Shoes "Comfort is by far the most important... We are on our feet all day, sometimes in the same spot for an hour or more." ~ Arian, Nurse Practitioner for 3 years The Professional Patent clog by Sanita provides ample arch support, and the closed back design helps to keep the foot and ankle secure. Accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association, a designation only granted to products found to promote good foot health, the Sanita Professional Patent clog is a reliable choice. Love the Professional Patent clog by Sanita? "While I don't mind being required to wear white shoes on the job – I find It promotes an atmosphere of professionalism and cleanliness – it can become restrictive when shopping for a new pair of nursing shoes that I really feel good in." ~ Sarah, Registered Nurse for 8 years Some medical facilities still require nurses to wear white shoes as part of the uniform, which limited options in the past. However, most nursing shoe brands now offer many of their styles in a variety of colors, including white, expanding the number of available choices.

The Alegria by PG Lite Keli includes elastic at the instep, allowing for a secure fit, and the cork, memory foam, and latex footbed forms to the natural contours of your foot. Additionally, its slight rocker outsole is engineered to roll naturally, encouraging proper posture throughout a long shift, and the shoe's lab-rated slip resistant outsole and stain-proof leather coating keep feet safe and sparkling. Love the Alegria by PG Lite Keli? "Slip resistance is important as we work with all sort of fluids – normal ones and gross ones!" ~ Diane, Registered Nurse for 30+ years Between dashing down hospital corridors to dealing with unpleasant messes, slip resistance should be a key feature in any pair of nursing shoes, and is determined by a shoe's outsole design, material, and tread pattern. Choosing the right footwear for your workplace can help prevent slips, trips, and falls that may lead to disabling injuries, which is especially important since losing one's balance, toppling objects, heavy lifting, and hazardous materials are some of the top causes of workplace injuries – all of which are common risks in many healthcare facilities.

The SKECHERS Work: Relaxed Fit - Sure Track shoe means business with its flexible, nitrile rubber, OSHA compliant outsole, which is also oil and chemical resistant. Love the SKECHERS Work: Relaxed Fit - Sure Track? 4. Best Nursing Shoes for Foot Ailments "I had a problem with plantar fasciitis a while back, but none since I changed to Klogs!" ~ Deborah, Registered Nurse for 30+ years It probably comes as no surprise that while comfort is a feature most nurses look for in a work shoe, when any foot-related ailments such as plantar fasciitis are involved, it's even more critical. The b is a classic style that has been upgraded to offer premium support and shock absorption with its padded collar, side goring, and an enclosed heel. Rather than a hard insole board that is found in many other shoes, a bed of polyether polyurethane provides all day cushioning, and the shoe's insoles are removable to allow for personalized orthotics. Love the Klogs Naples Clog? "The physical demands that go along with being a hospital nurse are sometimes underestimated – I need a pair of shoes that stands up to heavy lifting and all day wear and tear." ~ Kevin, Registered Nurse for 15 years