By Rehan Iqbal
Working in a hospital or other medical facility prohibits nurses from donning Crocs. It stands to reason that nurses should wear shoes that are comfortable, but those who put that priority ahead of their duty to keep patients safe regularly find themselves in peril when wearing Crocs.
Nurses can wear Crocs when they have time off or when they work in a hospital or clinic that doesn't need them to be on their feet for long amounts of time.
Crocs may be more comfortable, but nurses who wear them during time with patients and moving between with other medical staff may find themselves constantly removing and replacing the shoes. This becomes a hassle that gets old quickly.
Can Nurses Wear Crocs On the Job?
To prevent the spread of hepatitis and other illnesses, nurses are only able to wear the following types of Crocs, all of which are very situation-specific regarding healthcare and hospital environment:
Nurses aren't allowed to include Crocs in their work attire at any medical or nursing facility. While it's a given, all nurses should be comfortable throughout a grueling workday that includes standing for a large majority of the time - this comfort should never sacrifice their own, or anyone else's safety.
When nurses aren't required to stand for extended periods, Crocs may be a more viable solution. These shoes do deliver a certain amount of comfort, but no medical professional is ever allowed to wear any type of slip-on footwear during work hours.
Do Crocs Provide Proper Foot Support?
Crocs do provide enough stability and support for nurses and doctors to wear during the day. These professionals spend a lot of time upright, and over the years have become popular with therapists and other occupational medicine professionals.
However, if you're deciding to wear Crocs during the day, you must be aware of the grip and traction, especially if you're a nurse. There's always a high risk of slipping and losing your footing in a pair of Crocs. Also keep in mind that there are crocs styles that provide good traction, but they are a little pricey like north of $50.
You must also remain mindful regarding bacteria and fungus that gets trapped as a result of unhealthy particles and open wounds you may encounter around the hospital. These elements are easily trapped between the shoe and your feet, and leaving dangerous traces of disease-causing elements.
Crocs and Controlling Infection
One of the biggest problems with wearing crocs is that they can be a haven for germs and bacteria. Many caregivers have seen patients fall out of bed, only to recover in a pool of their bodily fluids. Crocs can retain these fluids and can cause infections when the shoes are worn again. In addition, crocs can carry fungus and can push the problem of athlete’s foot.
Slipping and Falling
Hospitals can be chaotic places where staff is rushing to help patients in an environment where they can easily slip and fall on wet floors, in puddles of bodily fluids, or on spilt food from lunch trays. Crocs can be slippery on these surfaces and can lead to injury for both patients and caregivers.
As if the potential for slip-and-fall accidents isn’t enough of a reason to ban crocs from hospitals, they can also be very unsanitary. Many patients can have wounds, develop bedsores, or lose bodily fluids on the floor, which can collect in crocs if worn again. According to the American Medical Association, crocs can also become a haven for bacteria and lead to deadly infections.
Constant Changing
If you do wear Crocs and are required to constantly change them, it's easier to misplace them. The last thing you want is a bunch of Crocs floating around a medical facility for anyone to encounter. Alternatively, these shoes may pick up other undesirable elements that could lead to contamination of your home and family.
What about general motion? Some people say Crocs provide comfort while others say they relieve comfort. Which is more likely in terms of nurses and the medical profession?
Another primary reason for the lack of traction being so dangerous is the fact that many nurses rely on their tread to help lift patients and move them to the front of the bed. If their treads wear down on a certain pair of shoes, this grip is no longer available.
This potentially leads to injury to the patient and the nurse, including everything from muscle pulls to bone issues, and random bruising.
Nowadays, people tend to have their own opinions on issues. There are pros and cons in this matter, so it would be unfair if only one out of the two sides was considered. It's important to respect the fact that nurses want comfortable footwear on the job, especially from such a demanding position.
The number one important thing to note is that Crocs aren't hygienic. This is because they're made of molded resin which is a type of rubber.. That’s because Crocs are made of molded resin which is a type of synthetic rubber.
This means microorganisms are prone to developing and living on different areas of these shoes. The danger of this fact is that the microorganisms contained in the shoes will infect the patients.
Why Some Nurses Prefer Wearing Crocs
Many nurses love wearing crocs because they’re protective, easy to clean, and comfortable. It’s essential because nurses spend long hours standing, walking around, and caring for patients. Some nurses walk 2 – 5 miles daily, depending on their shift rotation and the number of hours they work on a particular day.
As a result, wearing comfortable, supportive, and protective footwear is a must.
Additional types of footwear that nurses prefer include the following:
These specific types of shoes all provide different types of benefits, depending on the exact design. For example, athletic footwear is extremely light and breathable. They may also be incredibly versatile and sufficient for a number of different environments. Normally, these shoes provide a high level of usability throughout a 12-18 hour shift.
Medical clogs may be more focused on those with arch support issues. While these aren't the same as Crocs, they are shaped similarly. Usually, they lack the rubber material and are much harder than Crocs. In addition, the design isn't as open, lacking holes and other entrypoints of germs and bacteria. These shoes are incredibly sturdy, making them optimal for long periods of standing, providing support to the knees and back.
Clogs are great for nurses, barbers, doctors, phlebotomists, department store workers, and more. However, they're not as efficient for those who put in long periods of walking.
The Love and Hate Relationship of Crocs
Crocs have numerous fans worldwide due to their footwear design and creativity. Those who enjoy wearing Crocs rave about their comfort, breathability, easy-to-clean construction, and style, finding a perfect balance of comfort and support in low-risk work settings and for everyday casual use.
In addition, these advantages aren't found in your typical pair of shoes, whether for work or play. However, not everyone is on board with crocs, and some prefer wearing regular shoes, clogs, or athletic footwear.
Those who stray away from Crocs usually do so because of the visual design elements and not the medical advantages. The solid, open design with lots of holes, combined with the bulky toe-portion turns some people off. Other naysayers simply don't like the rubber design of these shoes.
Nevertheless, the purpose of Crocs is to provide supportive footwear that allows casual users and workers to feel comfortable and stable. It’s particularly beneficial in low-risk work settings where people frequently walk around throughout the day. Although these may not be the most optimal design for the standard nurse, there are many medical situations and other occupations that align perfectly with someone who wants to wear Crocs throughout the work day. These include:
Overall, crocs, clogs, athletic footwear, and casual shoes provide nurses with numerous alternatives to remain comfortable and protected at work.
