Why Compression Socks Are A Must Have For Nurses

Are your feet absolutely KILLING you during a long day at work?

If so, then keep reading!

We're going to give you a list of proven ways to make your feet feel amazing during and after your long shifts, that frankly ALL nurses need to know!

As we know, nursing is one of the most highly demanded careers in the world and continues to rise in popularity. That’s why you’re here!

With the median wages at $65k a year and the top ten percent of the field earning $94k or more per year, it's no shock the profession continues to grow. 

While it often goes unsaid, it's essential to highlight the roadblocks and issues that nurses face to find solutions that will create career longevity for those in the profession!

Due to the often physical nature of nursing work, nurses have to prepare accordingly to prevent the possibility of burnout and other physical health-related problems. 

So let's dive into one of the top issues that nurses face in their working lives - foot care!

Taking Care of Yourself In Nursing—Not Just Others

As we said, a huge understated issue that nurses face is foot care!

Nurses are almost always on their feet when on the job. Nurses who regularly work 12-hour shifts can attest to the problems that this can lead to—and so can you! 

Part of the issue nurses have when taking care of their feet is that younger nurses often haven't felt the adverse and cumulative effects frequently working on their feet can lead. A lack of experience can lead to the neglect of proper foot care measures. 

Tons of issues can start from this!

For instance, swelling in the feet and legs is one issue that can crop up as a result of nurses continually working on their feet. 

Sounds fun, right? Nope!—and we’re not done yet! 

Other foot issues that nurses experience include: 

• Blisters 
• Bunion
• Heel pain 
• Heel spurs 
• Plantar Fasciitis 
• Ingrown nails 
• Lack of proper blood flow
• Soreness 
• General pain

We know—this list doesn't look or sound particularly appealing.

The worst thing about these issues is that if ignored, they only add up over time and can create a lot of pain and even time away from work.

If you’re wondering how you can take measures to prevent these mentioned foot issues, you’re on the right track! 

There are some simple solutions for you as a nurse that can make a world of difference in maintaining proper foot care. 

Compression socks are one of them! 

Compression Socks: A Nurse's Best Friend 

The first benefit compression socks present to nurses are a reduction of foot and leg soreness after shifts! 

Varicose or spider veins are an additional issue that nurses face. Regularly wearing compression socks as a nurse can help reduce the appearance of varicose veins—wave goodbye! 

Wondering why compression socks help reduce the appearance of varicose veins? 

Compression socks put pressure on varicose veins, which reduces the buildup of blood. The positive effects of compression socks present both during and after work are noticeable—we promise! 

Reduction in Fatigue and Pain 

The feelings of fatigue and heaviness that nurses face in their feet are frequently a result of poor blood flow. Luckily, compression socks are designed to increase blood circulation.

In our list of issues that nurses experience with their feet during and after work, occurrences of swelling came up. Swelling tends to be a result of fluid buildup in muscle tissue.

Wearing compression socks helps to reduce swelling that occurs in the ankles and feet by forcing blood to flow upward through tightening of the feet and lower legs. Simple enough! 

Aside from seeking relief at work, nurses are known to wear compression socks off-duty as well to promote further recovery. You’ll be glad you did! 

What you're looking for in a quality pair of compression socks is breath-ability, softness, and moisture-wicking design.

So where should you look for those features? 

Look no further than Nurses Only Compression Socks. 

Why You Should Buy Nurse's Only Compression Socks

At Nurses Only, we don't want to see you negatively affected by pesky ailments such as plantar fasciitis and foot pain—we want to see nurses thrive and enjoy their careers!

Our compression socks feature:

• Cute and unique designs 
• Comfort for chilling at home or supporting nurses during work hours
• Reasonable prices 

Lovable designs for Nurses Only Compression socks include: 

• Polka dots
• EKG patterns
• Hearts
• Peace ribbons 

—and more! Like we said, cute! 

Sizes run true, and customers can save money when bundling their purchase of compression socks with other necessary nursing accessories such as night shift glasses and support braces. 

So convenient! 

If your sock size happens not to fit, feel free to email support@nursesonlyclub for a free replacement. 

Orders are secure and offer free universal shipping! 

Proper Shoes in Nursing

Husson University published an article with a report from The Permanente Journal that stated the average nurse working a 10-hour shift walks nearly three and a half miles a day. 

Wow! 

With the excess of walking that nurses endure, in The Permanente Journal’s report, proper shoes were emphasized. 

The College of Healthcare recommends that nurses purchase new shoes to be worn at work every six months. 

You might be thinking that's a bit overkill—it's not. 

While shoes older than six months may appear functional on a surface level, due to prolonged periods of standing, the soles in nursing shoes can quickly lose compression and not provide proper support. 

New shoes every six months is hopefully sounding a bit better now! 

Correct nursing shoes should: 

• Promote proper posture
• Create a natural range of motion for the feet 
• Prevent pain in feet, ankles, hips, and back
• Provide traction 

Promoting better foot care with proper shoes will serve to increase the speed and efficiency in which a nurse will be able to perform their job. 

There's a direct correlation between adequate footwear in nursing and providing top-notch patient care that you strive to deliver. Let’s help get you to that point! 

Qualities of Proper Nursing Shoes

Let's narrow down some of the things you should look for in a pair of nursing shoes: 

• Durability with solid treading on the bottom 
• Covers feet and socks to protect against fluids 
• Easy to maintain
• Lightweight 
• Support in the back of the foot 
• Breathability

Factors that will impact the type of shoes that a nurse will select include:

• Height and weight
• History of injuries 
• How often the shoes will need to be replaced 

We recommend investigating what type of arch support is fit for you. Motion-control shoes are known to support nurses with arch issues, while stability shoes are apt for nurses that have standard arch height. 

Don’t compromise in the shoe department! 

Shoe Options for Nurses

There are three types of shoes that most nurses choose to utilize in their profession: 

Sneakers

Comfortable and practical. Sneakers are stable and provide quality foot protection from elements such as spills. 

Tennis shoes or sneakers are an excellent option for nurses working in fast-paced environments. 

Slip Shoes

Nurses who work in surgery settings find slip shoes practical due to the need to make quick changes into sterile footwear.

Just make sure that your slip shoes feature backs, low heels, and soles that won't skid.

Clogs

Easy to slide on and comfortable, clogs meet all the standard shoe requirements for a nurse.

Plantar Fasciitis In Nursing

Plantar fasciitis is a common culprit when it comes to heel pain, specifically in nursing. You may have heard about it, or might even be experiencing it. 

Pain with plantar fasciitis is due to inflammation that occurs in the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot that connects to your toes and heel bone. The pain that plantar fasciitis creates is described as a stabbing feeling that is most common during a person's first steps in the morning. 

It's essential that we mention plantar fasciitis after our recommendation of shoes for nurses as a lack of proper footwear is one of the leading causes of plantar fasciitis in those who stand and walk for extended periods during the day—I.e. You! 

Some people might experience symptoms of plantar fasciitis and alter the way they walk as a means to circumnavigate the pain they're experiencing. We’re begging you not to do this! 

Purchasing proper supportive footwear as a nurse is the recommended course of action as changing the way you walk to accommodate foot pain can lead to foot, knee, back, or hip issues down the line. 

Ignoring foot pain is one of the main causes of more significant issues as conditions such as plantar fasciitis are cumulative. 

Listen to your pain and respond accordingly! Let’s get into how you can do that. 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatments 

We've mentioned proper supportive footwear as a means to protect oneself against plantar fasciitis during nursing. Let's outline some other treatments for plantar fasciitis that you can easily implement into your work schedule and personal life: 

• Stretching
• Ice 
• Orthotics that target rear foot pressure 
• Avoid walking barefoot often or in flip flops 
• Massages 
• Physical therapy

Stretching before or after a shift is especially significant for your nurse stamina! Outside of work, nurses can include other forms of physical activities such as a short morning run or joining a yoga class to further boost levels of stamina.  

Additional Foot Care Tips 

Ameritech published an informative article outlining useful, general tips that nurses can utilize for better overall foot health. Let’s get into it! 

Before Work

Keeping toenails trimmed can be an overlooked factor when it comes to proper foot care. In our list of issues that nurses face regarding adequate foot health, ingrown toenails made an appearance. 

Ingrown toenails are a result of not clipping straight across the nail, which can lead to the nail digging into a nurses' skin, as well as an infection. Gross...

Cutting nails when they're dry and not cutting nails too short are a great strategy to help avoid foot pain that ingrown toenails can create. Pedicures are a great way to treat yourself after working so you can get all the benefits of clean and tidy nails while having to do none of the work. 

Staying hydrated is extremely important for nurses as dehydration can lead to foot cramps and other discomforts in the body. 

After Work

We are going to touch on the importance of proper foot care after work as it's equally as important as providing proper foot care for yourself during work with items such as compression socks. 

Slippers are a great option to help alleviate built-up tension in feet when not working. Soft ones, especially! 

Moisturizing your feet with lotion can help prevent undesirable cracks in the skin. 

Try hydrotherapy! Soaking and alternating your feet between hot and cold water stimulates circulation, which leads to a soft tissue workout. Finishing your hydrotherapy session with some cold water can help reduce swelling. 

Are you still looking to increase circulation within your feet? We've got you covered! Try filling a large bowl with warm water and add a cup of Epsom salts. 

The heat of the water will aid circulation while the minerals reduce swelling — other essential oils such as peppermint or lavender can be added for further relaxation. Treat yourself! 

The Upside in Being on Your Feet

While working in a profession that calls for long periods of time where the person is on their feet can lead to the development of foot problems, nurses are also lucky to work in a profession that keeps them upright and moving! 

Many office jobs create a sedentary lifestyle for the person working, which can lead to a whole other set of health conditions. 

Conclusion 

One of the most substantial issues nurses face in promoting a healthy lifestyle inside and outside of the workplace is providing themselves with proper footcare. 

Just because you're young and don't experience foot pain regularly when nursing doesn't mean you won't get the pain down the road. Foot problems such as heel pain and soreness, are often cumulative. 

Luckily, we sell quality compression socks in a variety of totally cute designs and sizes to support you and your career as a nurse. Equipping yourself with some quality compression socks will help make sure that issues such as foot pain and plantar fasciitis won't take time away from work, or your life outside of nursing.

Nurses only Nylon Compression socks are designed to:

• Maximize comfort
• Alleviate current foot pain 
• Reduce swelling that occurs from long-standing periods 

We recommended that nurses purchase at least three pairs of compression socks. Nurses who work three shifts per week will find that three pairs allow for a different pair of socks to be worn during each shift. Stay fresh! 

Pair your Nurses Only compression socks with one of the options from our list of recommended shoes to help complete your footcare setup. 

Remember that providing yourself with proper foot care as a nurse means taking appropriate measures before, after, and during work to ensure that your feet are up to the task of supporting you in your career. 

For more relevant information on nurse healthcare, check out our posts about the number one factor hurting nurses' sleep, as well as our post on ways for nurses to avoid energy crashes at work.