June 19, 2010
Foot Care for Nurses
Just a day or two on the floor and any nurse will tell you that this can be hell on your feet. And this is if you have healthy feet to start out with! Walking and running through tiled hallways gets old really fast and that is why it is imperative that nurses (or pretty much anyone in health care) learn how to take great care of their feet within a short time of starting work.
As it is, most research concludes that three out four Americans experience foot problem in their lifetime. Women experience four times as many foot problems than men. This is the general population statistics! Take into consideration the 12+ hours you spend on your feet and you can see how quickly foot problems can occur and worsen for a nurse.
You don’t have time to be slowed down by foot problems when you have patients and doctors counting on you. So learn how to create the best environment for your feet now.
First and foremost, as a nurse you’ve got to find the right shoes for your tired feet…because your feet WILL be tired! It always helps to ask around. Other nurses can relate to the edema and soreness of a long and hard shift, and may have tips or recommendations for the shoes they have found to be most comfortable. Many nurses would love to live in their Crocs shoes because they are so comfortable. While this isn’t a universal sentiment (some nurses find that their toes don’t fit properly into the toe box), the praise for this type of shoe is pretty loud.
Once you have comfortable shoes, you are well on your way to maintaining healthy feet. Another thing you can do is to make the most of your break time. At breaks, sit down in a place where you can put your feet up. Depending on how long your break is, and where you are taking that break, it is also a great relief to actually remove your shoes and socks and let your feet breath for a few minutes in an elevated position.
To help keep circulation moving along, wear a good pair of support socks to work as well. Support socks can also help to lessen the instance of edema in the ankles and feet. Wearing support socks may take some getting used to; but the rewards are worth it.
Now for the real fun. Take some time for yourself at least once a week and enjoy a good foot soak, pedicure or foot massage. If you can’t stand the idea of someone else touching your feet, then do it yourself. To relieve tired feet, prepare a small tub of warm water and add 3 drops of rosemary oil with one tablespoon of baking soda and soak. For swollen feet, prepare a small tub with ice water and mix in 3 drops of lavender oil. Doing this once a week will give you something to look forward to!
Your feet are an important part of your daily work life. Taking care of them will help you be the best you can be and help you feel as great as you possibly can.
Nursing Tales 