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According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, between 700,000 and 1 million persons in the United States are admitted to hospitals each year. Falls can cause everything from minor bruising and pain to more serious problems such as fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding. Obviously, many of the people in this fall statistic are patients rather than nurses, but the message is clear: Hospitals are common sites for people to fall due to a number of circumstances.

Even if they are in good health, nurses can trip and fall as they rush from one patient to the next. Slip-resistant nursing shoes, thankfully, are available to assist avoid falls and give a variety of other benefits in addition to safety. Continue reading to learn about the six advantages of slip-resistant shoes for nurses.

1. Safety

The primary objective of slip-resistant shoes, as the name implies, is to avoid falls and other accidents. While hard surfaces are considerably easier to disinfect, when slippery flooring is combined with regular cleaning, it's a great recipe for slips and falls—which is why nurses and other medical workers should wear slip-resistant shoes. The last thing you want to do when caring for patients is damage yourself because your shoes slipped on a damp area of disinfectant on the hospital floor.

2. Comfort

A thick rubber sole is required for any slip-resistant shoe worthy of the term. This sole not only protects against falls but also cushions your feet from the relentless stress of a 12-hour job. Given that nurses stand and walk for practically the entirety of their shift and rarely get a chance to sit down, having a thick and well-cushioned sole is critical to avoiding foot pain. Slip-resistant shoes, thankfully, provide on this winning mix, and some even allow you to insert custom orthotics for added comfort.

3. Productivity

If your shoes are prone to slipping, you must walk more slowly and take care where you place your feet to avoid making a misstep and falling down. However, if you wear slip-resistant shoes, you can power walk down the hospital corridor as quickly as you like without fear of falling. This means you'll be able to get more done during a shift, which is something every nurse desires.

4. Cost and Durability

The soles of slip-resistant shoes are typically made of high-quality rubber that lasts a long time. Instead of swiftly wearing out, your nursing shoes will last you through several shifts without deterioration. Sure, you can get cheaper shoes, but you'll have to replace them more frequently, so it all balances out. 

5. Peace of mind

When you wear slip-resistant shoes, you don't have to worry about falling during a shift or your shoes wearing out soon. Instead, you can rest (or work) easy knowing that your shoes will keep you safe from falls and will hold up well over the course of a long shift. If your current nursing shoes aren't already slip-resistant, it's time to look into other possibilities.

6. Excellent Design

Slip-resistant does not have to imply a drab design. In reality, many slip-resistant shoes resemble conventional, even fashionable, sneakers, tennis shoes, clogs, flats, and other common shoe styles. In many cases, you couldn't know the shoes are slip-resistant just by looking at them, and most of the styles would look good with anything other than scrubs (though you shouldn't wear your shoes outside the hospital, since they can transport germs along with the rest of your wardrobe).

Conclusion

We hope you've gotten the message: if you're a nurse, you should wear slip-resistant shoes to protect yourself and those around you. They'll keep you safe, comfortable, and fashionable while you spend long hours caring for your patients.