Being a nurse is tough.
You spend long hours on your feet, you have to tip-toe around a lot of spilled fluids and liquids, and you need to protect your feet from bumps and twists. So, while being a nurse is tough, choosing the right pair of shoes (see also ‘Best Hoka Shoes For Nurses‘) can help make the job easier.
But why do so many nurses choose to wear clogs?
If you are wondering why so many nurses wear clogs (see also ‘Why Do Nurses Wear Compression Socks?‘) even though they are not an ‘official’ part of the uniform, then this is the place for you. We are going to be covering all the potential reasons why nurses love to wear clogs while on shift.
So, check out the information below to find the answer to your question!
What Are Clogs?
Modern clogs are very different from their traditional selves. Traditional clogs were made of wood, painted bright colors and have a lot of cultural importance. They look very reminiscent of fairy-tale elf shoes but these clearly are not the type of clogs nurses wear (see also ‘Best Shoes For Male Nurses‘).
Instead, nurses opt for modern clogs – lightweight shoes made from a foam resin material. Some crocs also use rubber and plastic to make up their bodies but the materials are breathable.
These modern clogs are also designed to be easy to slip on but provide more protection over the foot and toes when compared to other types of slip on shoes such as flip-flops or sliders.
Modern clogs are now commonly used in households as ‘errand’ shoes, but also can easily be found in hospitals on the feet of the staff including nurses, doctors, and custodians. But what features make them better suited as work and household footwear?
Why Nurses Wear Clogs?
Like we said earlier, nursing is a tough profession and the tasks a nurse does every shift means that they require their shoes to have particular qualities. Take a look at the qualities below and see how clogs meet all the needs for a nurse’s type of footwear.
Comfort
The average shift length for a nurse is between 12-13 hours (see also ‘How To Survive A 12-Hour Nursing Shift? 6 Tips To Get You Through‘), and it’s not uncommon for a nurse to stay on their feet for the entire shift. As a result, they need a type of shoe that is comfortable to wear.
Modern clogs meet this requirement with ease as the foam resin used to make them are praised for being cushy and breathable. This means that the material is also pretty elastic and can easily fit snugly around the foot without causing rubbing, blisters, or general discomfort.
The design of a clog also means that they are easy to slip on and off. There’s no shoelaces or straps to fiddle with – a nurse can easily slip into their clogs and get to work in a hurry, making them great for emergencies. The lack of a back or any laces means there is also a lack of pressure which can cause discomfort.
So, overall, clogs are super comfortable and this is one of the main reasons why people purchase them. They’re great for long-term wear, which is perfect for long shifts.
Foot Support
Nurses spend a lot of their shift rushing around to help patients, especially in emergencies and high-risk situations. As a result, a lot of nurses suffer from issues related to foot stress such as pain, strains, and sprains.
The last thing a nurse needs during a busy rush is pain in their feet and so, they require a type of footwear that can properly support their feet.
Clogs again meet these requirements. They are made with a cushy midsole which helps absorb shocks as a result of impacts from walking and running, meaning that the shoe takes most of the damage while your feet remain safe and supported.
Most clogs are also designed with good arch support too to help with posture and reduce stress on your back.
However, nurses also need to choose a pair of clogs that fit their feet! Wearing shoes that do not fit your feet is one of the biggest culprits of foot pain and discomfort, so nurses need to ensure that they find a pair of clogs that fits their foot size!
Safety
ER and hospital wards are very busy environments which means that there are a lot of hazards around the place, waiting to trip or slip up a nurse. Nurses work around a lot of falling hazards and liquids such as chemicals or bodily fluids, so it’s important that they protect their feet from further injuries such as fractures.
Clogs achieve this thanks to their design. Not only do they provide nurses with support as we mentioned above to avoid sprains and strains, but they also cover your toes and provide them with protection.
Most modern clogs are also slip resistant and the soles provide traction to prevent a nurse from slipping due to spilt chemicals or bodily fluids around their workplace.
This slip resistant quality in particular is what makes clogs so attractive to nurses, especially those who work in the ER where patients come in with open wounds and are sure to leave a lot of blood on the floor, posing as a serious slip hazard.
But clogs help nurses do their jobs without having to worry about slipping and injuring themselves, so they can give their 100% focus onto their patients
Easy To Clean
We’ve mentioned how clogs help protect feet from slips and liquid spills, but the resin material of clogs is also super easy to wipe down and clean.
This means that nurses can walk through anything and easily clean their clogs later with little fuss. There’s no absorbent materials which can soak in fluids such as blood. Instead, clogs are waterproof and once a nurse’s shift is over, all they have to do is wipe down their clogs with some warm soapy water in a matter of seconds.
Final Thoughts
So, clogs feature many important qualities which make them the perfect type of shoe for nurses.
They’re lightweight, easy to wear, comfortable, easy to clean, slip resistant, and provide feet with support to last the entire shift. All of these are great qualities which nurses need in a shoe, so it just makes sense that nurses choose clogs!