The Best White Shoes For Nursing Students
Wearing proper footwear makes all the difference in how nurses feel spending all day on their feet. Here are the best white shoes for nursing students and medical professionals.
Nurses play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of their patients. As part of their jobs, nurses are on their feet for hours at a time which can lead to foot pain, achy joints, and even back pain.
Comfortable shoes with good arch support play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of nurses. Using the proper footwear can make long shifts pass much more comfortably, and for hard-working nurses, that makes all the difference.
In addition, the hospital setting often has wet, slippery floors, so the perfect white nursing shoe will have slip-resistant outsoles. In fact, it’s a safety requirement.
Nursing uniforms used to be all white – including the shoes. Now, many hospitals don’t require white uniforms, and instead, let their nurses wear scrubs that are more comfortable and available in different colors. For nurses, the white footwear requirement may or may not be required these days depending on where you work. But it is still required for nursing students going through clinicals.
I thought it would be helpful to start your nursing career off “on the right foot” with some of the best white nursing shoes for nursing students (and healthcare professionals) to make your search for new shoes easier.
Here is a list of the 9 best nursing shoes for nurses (and even medical students) to make working long hours a little easier.
NOTE: This selection of nurse shoes was developed with several important factors in mind, including:
- A variety of materials including synthetic materials, leather shoes, and rubber soles
- Dress codes
- Shock absorption
- Toe box design
- Comfortable cushion design
- Excellent traction
- Personal preference
The Best White Shoes For Nursing Students:
What To Look For
Different styles of shoes are built to achieve different goals. Since nurses are on their feet all day, standing on hard hospital floors, they need top-notch shoes. You’ll want to find shoes that:
- Are comfortable
- Provide the right arch support
- Have slip resistant outsoles
- Are shock absorbers to reduce stress on joints
- Project a professional appearance
The 9 Best White Nurse Shoes
As a student in nursing school, your training will include getting used to long hours doing clinicals. Here are the best shoes for nursing students and nurses, and all were chosen for comfort, style, durability, and safety!
1. Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
Comfortable, understated, classic. Dansko nurse shoes provide excellent support (great for nurses with plantar fasciitis), are easy to slip on and off, and look terrific.
- Cost: $125
- Features: upper of the shoe is 100% genuine leather, large toe box, cushioned memory foam padding, slip-resistant sole, lightweight, anti-fatigue rocker design, available in many colors
- Pros: this stylish shoe looks professional and keeps you feeling great all day
- Cons: have high arch support and may not be comfortable for some people
2. Anywear Guardian Angel Women’s Healthcare Professional Clog
A good clog never goes out of style, and the style, in general, is extremely comfortable to wear for those long days.
- Cost: $50
- Features: synthetic material with rubber anti-slip sole for better grip, 2-piece removable memory foam footbed, lightweight, easy to clean design
- Pros: anti-microbial technology in the upper to reduce odor causing bacteria.
- Cons: these shoes tend to run narrow, so they may not be the best choice for those who wear wide sizes.
3. Nurse Mates Dove Oxford
These shoes are basically a cross between a tennis shoe or athletic shoe and a clog. They look stylish while also providing support more like that of a walking shoe. Leather shoes make for easy wipe-off cleaning and protect against falling sharp objects.
- Cost: $75
- Features: 100% leather with anti-slip sole, sturdy outsole, great insole padding, easy to clean design
- Pros: anti-microbial technology in the upper to reduce odor causing bacteria.
- Cons: the quality seems to be slightly inconsistent with some people not having any problems and others having the sole come off.
4. Hankwell Women’s Lightweight Nursing Shoe
If you want a traditional lacing system style of shoe, Hankwell makes an excellent choice for good-quality shoes. This type of shoe makes long days of patient care a breeze on your body.
- Cost: $45
- Features: 100% leather with anti-slip sole, padded collar, great insole padding, easy to clean, professional-looking design
- Pros: super comfortable design makes standing for long hours with pain less difficult
- Cons: neutral arch design which may not provide enough arch support for professional nurses who have high arches.
5. Cherokee Women’s Harmony
Cherokee workwear shoes have been around for a while and have been a favorite of health care professionals.
- Cost: $55
- Features: 100% white leather shoes with anti-slip sole, great midsole padding and stitching, easy to clean, professional-looking design
- Pros: comfortable design makes standing
- Cons: may not have enough arch support for some people
6. PUMA Women’s Cali Sneaker
If you want a style of shoe that’s more traditional, try this stylish, comfortable leather sneaker. They look a little like KEDS, but they’re leather so they’re great white shoes for nursing students.
- Cost: $60
- Features: 100% leather with synthetic sole, great midsole padding and stitching, easy to clean, professional-looking design
- Pros: comfortable and stylish design
- Cons: since they’re a lace-up style, they aren’t as quick to slip on and off as clogs
7. Timberland PRO Women’s 90658 Work Shoe
When you want leather shoes, Timberland is the company you want to make them. These leather clogs are stylish, comfortable, and durable.
- Cost: $80
- Features: 100% leather with anti-slip sole, heel to toe rocker sole design, easy to clean, anti-fatigue technology
- Pros: these shoes are designed with nurses in mind to make standing all day comfortable in leather shoes
- Cons: the leather in these shoes is durable, but it’s not a soft leather or a breathable leather
8. Alegria Duette Women’s Professional Shoe
When you buy these as new shoes, they will likely be tight at first. But thanks to their soft leather upper, they break in quickly and conform to your feet.
- Cost: $90
- Features: 100% leather with anti-slip sole, soft fabric lining, easy to clean, professional-looking design, enhanced shock absorption
- Pros: these shoes are designed with a removable and replaceable footbed
- Cons: the soft leather uppers make these shoes comfortable but not as protective against falling sharp objects.
9. New Balance Women’s 623 V3 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer
This selection is for the nurse who wants to wear athletic shoes instead of clogs or other slip-ons. These shoes are heavy-duty with a shock absorbing heel
- Cost: $90
- Features: leather outer, athletic design, easy to clean, enhanced shock absorbing heel, available in half sizes
- Pros: these shoes are designed for nurses who need to be able to quickly get from one place to another
- Cons: these white shoes are great for busy nurses on the go, but they don’t slip on and off as easily as clogs
I hope this post helps you find the best white shoes for nursing school or work. Remember that good foot and back health starts with compression socks paired with good shoes, and you may need to replace your shoes even if they look ok on the outside.
Article by: Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN at thenerdynurse.com