IF WE WANT TO BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONALS THEN LET'S LOOK LIKE PROFESSIONALS. I THINK THEY LOOK AWFUL.

KarenEKneisel said:

IF WE WANT TO BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONALS THEN LET'S LOOK LIKE PROFESSIONALS. I THINK THEY LOOK AWFUL.

This is just another example of Hospitals trying to control nurses ! The real issue is not wheather "Crocs" are safe or not but wheather or not any institution can dictate nurses apparel. As many of the responders said they work in an atmosphere where feces, urine and amniotic fluid are all over. Crocs can be washed as they are made of easily cleaned material. Leather or canvas shoes cannot. When are Hospitals going to realize that they can no longer control nurses or what they wear. as long as the attire is clean and professional what any individual wears is a stupid issue !

ugly yes- mine are lime green and i plan to purchase the maryjane style too. fashion?i just make sure my socks are a tad wilder than the shoe. they have saved my knees-been at this longtime n had many different shoe experiences. dansko is my second fave. lighten up. hey they stick to the floor more than slip. can't tell you how many times i almost fell on my face cause me foot stopped n i kept goin!ha ha

I happen to love my croc's.  Granted bodily fluids in my shoe isn't my idea of fun, however they are much easier to clean.  I also have to say  though I disagree with the idoits that allow thier kids to wear them in inappropriate places.  I got an article once from someone saying thier kid got sucked into an escalator while wearing them, this same person sent me an article on the Mr clean magic eraser.  Let me get on my soap box here, If you are stupid enough not to use common sense, then perhaps you should just lock yourself in your house.  If Mr. Clean magic erasers srub off toxic chemicals, and stains that have no ending, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO DO TO YOUR KIDS ARMS AND FACE MORON!  With the kid getting sucked into the escalator at a mall.   DUMB ASS...did you not see the big yellow signs on the enterance that clearly says mind you even has pretty pictures....stand in the middle of the stair, do not hang off the railing?  Kids should be escorted by an adult?  GOOD GOD.  So on that note....I love my croc's and I hope they do not get banned, I find that very hard to do.  I can see a safety concern with not wearing straps and having to run to a code if your not that graceful, but most policies I have seen instruct the person wearing the shoes must have a strap around the heel,  and that is with any clog type of shoe.

 At our facility, the problem is that nurses are wearing backless shoes--crocs, clogs, backless tennis shoes.  When there was a code down around the corner, nurses took off running.  One tripped trying to keep her shoes on, one lost one shoe then just kick off the other one as she ran, leaving shoes in the middle of the hall for others running to the code to trip over, which had happened and not just once or twice.  The dress code was then changed to state that all backless shoes had to have a strap across the heel and it was to be used.  Oh, they also got rid of  crocs too.  Same reason about the holes.  

When i first started nursing, we were told to wear all leather shoes.  Well, I rolled an ankle really bad and needed the support.  So i got all white high top leather basketball shoes.  You'd have thought I was wearing clown shoes and had to have special permission and a note from the doctor that it was necessary.  Now look at all the tennis/basketball type shoes.  What a difference 20years makes.

I know of the crocs ban in my area. They are banned in the O.R.s due to being a conductor of electricity. I like the pairs I have. They are comfortable. I've tried others and they made my feet hurt. To each his own.

Wow, what a controversy! 

I suppose we could all look like the chicks in the picture of the enema monument.

check out their shoes!

Bottom line IMO:  We are all grown ups & should be able to make our own decisions about clothing & shoes.

Be accountable for your own safety (& fashion sense) & make your own decision...let the chips fall where they may.

Greenergrass:

Thanks for posting that picture of "super models" trying to look like nurses. LMAO

What nurse would wear pumps? I guess they had to pose like "chicks" for the picture that was taken of them.

Great shot!

AMEN TO THE BAN!   croc's are over rated.  the breakdown quickly and have holes in them.  Many employeers have rules regarding open toed shoes, shoes with holes over toes, and even backless or a strap.  Most OR's are given approval for clogs but usually without holes over toes.  Croc's are a fall waiting to happen for the elderly and those that do not pick up their feet.  Yes, several hospitals and homes are banning them in Illinois!!!

Crocs are comfortable.  I wore many different running and walking shoes before buying a pair, and now my feet, legs and back don't hurt.

Our hospital is one that "banned" the "Croc-like" shoes, with holes.  I have the Croc's without the holes and they are hot.

I also agree with what many have said: Crocs can be easily washed free of any contaminants, leather, etc. shoes can't.

Sharps dropped? Drop a syringe with needle from the same height and a pair of running shoes with a cloth toe will fare no better than a Croc (If the needle actually hits one of the holes!)

I don't know the push behind this "ban" but think it silly.

Patrick

I wear a set of navy blue no holes crocs.  They look just as professional as any of the other shoes out there.  They clean up easy, when I get urine or blood on them, something I couldn't say about sneakers.  The only drawback that I've seen is leaving the hospital and walking to the parking lot when there is more than a few inches of snow on the ground.

I used to wear the Anywear clogs & they were wonderful.  They are made differently now & not as comfortable.  Klogs are a good brand.  Crocs don't seem to fit me right, but I'd wear them if they kept me from limping at the end of the night.

Enema monument.  Are they serious?  Who in their right mind would want that as a monument? 

I found a croc-like shoe (no holes) from Natural Uniforms that are light, foam like but completely cushioned sole.  Easy to clean and has a strap along the back of the heel if you want to wear it, or flip it forward if you do not.  It's a common sense nursing shoe with all the germ medium flying and dropping on the job.  Anything with laces is impractical and germ infested unless you wash your laces every day. 

The facility that I work in I've seen a lot of aidea and nurses wear them.  I've also seen people slip and fall in them.  I don't feel they are safe to wear because of the slips I've seen and the fact anything can can on your sock if you wear the kind that have the holes in them.  I've always worn a old pair of comfortable running shoes with insoles in them.  If your on your feet 8-12 hours I feel you need a shoe with good support and traction.