Best White Shoes for Nursing Students and Healthcare Workers

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If you are new to nursing school, congrats!! For clinicals and labs, most programs require a pair of plain white or black shoes. When it comes to shoes, you really want to get a good pair to save your feet and back. Being a nursing student or a healthcare worker means long shifts, and lots of walking. As a nursing student, I remember having clinical shifts where it seemed like the only time I sat during the entire 12 hours was for a quick lunch break. Ouch. 

Important factors to consider when choosing shoes include support, comfort, functionality, and a professional appearance.Your nursing school may have a specific dress code, so be sure to keep that in mind when browsing for shoes. The ones I’m wearing here have a fun pop of color, but not all nursing schools allow that. I’ll give you a few recommendations here on the best white shoes to get you through nursing school, and onto the hospital floor as an official Registered Nurse!

A Dedicated Pair For Work

The shoes you buy should be specifically work shoes. Many programs require you to buy a dedicated pair of shoes just for clinicals. When I worked at an outpatient endoscopy center, we also had to have a dedicated pair of shoes to wear only in the work environment.

This is a part of infection control, and to help prevent the transfer of harmful substances or pathogens from the hospital setting to personal spaces. Plus, if you keep your shoes as dedicated work shoes, they will last longer!

Work Clogs vs. Tennis Shoes

Some people prefer to wear clogs over tennis shoes or sneakers. If you are a fan of clogs, you can find a white pair of leather clogs to meet dress code requirements. Some pros of clogs include: a roomy toe box, an easy-to-clean surface, and slip-resistant soles.

Cons include: a bit of a bulky appearance, lack of breathable fabric, and lack of cushioning. I tried on some clogs because they were very popular on my floor at the hospital. To me, they were extremely uncomfortable, and I couldn’t imagine a 12-hour shift wearing them.

But they must be popular for some reason! If you want to give some a try, I recommend going to a store where you can try them on, or at least making sure you can return them for a full refund if they don’t work well for you. 

Best Nursing Shoes

Here I’ll break down some of the best shoes for healthcare professionals, and you can choose which is the best fit for you. Keep your personal needs in mind.

For example, if you have plantar fasciitis or high arches, you are really going to need extra support. (Go for Brooks of Hokas!) If you have a wider foot, you will not be comfortable in shoes that run small. Read through all the options, look at the comparisons, and then decide what suits your needs best! (If you want my opinion as a nurse, the first two options I share are the best white nursing shoes out there!)

The #1 Pick: Hoka Shoes

Buying from Hoka is an excellent choice for healthcare workers and students. I have personal experience, and have also read through a lot of forums and reviews, and people RAVE about these shoes. Many mention unparalleled comfort, a truly slip-resistant outsole, and that they are worth every penny.

These shoes have exceptional cushioning, support, and a breathable mesh upper. I remember the first time I went shoe shopping with my husband for a much-needed upgrade. He was working in a doctor’s office and standing literally all day.

The #2 Pick: Brooks Shoes

I personally am a massive fan of Brooks. I first bought a pair in high school for track and field, and I was hooked. Of any of the shoes I have ever had, that first pair I bought was the longest-lasting pair. (Brooks Glycerin for the win!)

One benefit of this brand is that they offer wide sizes as well. In my experience, Brooks is top-notch in comfort, support, and  functionality. Their all-white options are super cute, and they will last you for a long time!

Brooks shoes are also suprisingly lightweight without sacrificing quality. The soles also offer slip resistance, and the toe-box doesn’t jam your toes together. In my book, the only con is that these shoes are on the more expensive side. (Again, they are an investment! Your feet will thank you.)

The #3 Pick: On Cloud Shoes

This brand is another one that I saw worn frequently among medical professionals. People love the good arch support, padded collar, and the comfortable “CloudTec” sole. These shoes also have a fun, unique look and style.

Overall, these are comfortable shoes with excellent support which makes them perfect for nursing students and nurses alike! When it comes to being on your feet for long hours, you will be happy to have good shoes to get you through the day. 

The #4 Pick: New Balance Shoes

New Balance has really been stepping it up these days. These shoes are the ideal choice for someone on a budget. While they won’t have the same level of cushion and support as some of the more expensive options, many of the reviews love the comfortable design of their shoes.

They are made with a cushioned midsole, a rubber outsole, and a lightweight design. Some reviewers even say they work in the hospital multiple times a week and think the shoes are great! I don’t have personal experience with this specific shoe, but lots of people seem to love them!

If you go with the second option, you might want to size up half a size. Some of the reviewers mentioned that they were tighter than their other shoes, and that they run small on size. 

Clove Shoes

Unfortunately, I have read a lot of negative reviews about this brand. While these shoes are marketed to the specific needs of nurses, I don’t think they are the best option out there. Some nurses have commented that they are a waste of money and uncomfortable.

The pros are: they are made of a material that is very easy to clean off, they are easy to slip on and off, and they come with pens and a badge holder. The cons are: they wear out fast, are pricey for what they are, and don’t have as much support as other options. If you really love the upsides of this brand and want to buy some, I recommend adding insoles to boost the comfort!

Nurse Mates

The nursing community is torn on this one. Nurse mates’ website boasts years of experience making shoes specifically designed to the unique demands of healthcare environments. The biggest pro these shoes offer is that they are extremely easy to wipe off and disinfect. As an added bonus, they are really easy to slip on.

But, from forum discussions with other nurses, I learned that the cushioned footbed just doesn’t last. It seems like plenty of people thought they were comfy at first, but that support and cushion didn’t last for long periods of time. These shoes still could be the right pair for someone who needs less cushion or support, and some people said they would buy them again.

It depends on what floor you’re working on, and what features are most important to you! I found more negative comments than positive ones, so I think the reason these are known in the nursing world is because of targeted advertising. Whereas, the other brands I have mentioned in this post are largely known as running shoes or athletic shoes. 

Compression Socks

I highly highly recommend compression socks to any health care worker, or anyone with long days standing on their feet. Compression socks can improve circulation, and prevent blood from pooling in the lower extremities. This not only supports the venous system, but can even prevent a clot or DVT from forming. They can also help prevent varicose veins, and reduce swelling and discomfort. In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to invest in a good, supportive pair of shoes if you’re not going to wear supportive socks as well. 

Which are Your Favorite White Nursing Shoes?

I hope this article was helpful for you! Which pair was your favorite? Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments. I wish you every success in your nursing career!

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