No Crocs for docs and nurses? (2024)

FAQs

Why are Crocs not allowed in healthcare? ›

Hospital leaders there cite safety concerns raised after a needle fell through one of the holes and inside the shoe of an employee at a hospital in Tampa.

Surgeons and medical professionals spend long hours on their feet, requiring shoes that provide excellent support and cushioning. Crocs, with their proprietary Croslite material, offer exceptional comfort and shock absorption, reducing the strain on the feet and legs during surgeries or prolonged standing.

OSHA doesn't specifically approve or disapprove brands like Crocs. Rather, they outline general guidelines that all work shoes should follow. For instance, you need foot protection if there's a risk of foot injuries from falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or exposure to electrical hazards.

Crocs Celebrates Nurses Week with Fourth Year of 'Free Pair for Healthcare' Program. BROOMFIELD, Colo., May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crocs, Inc. (NADSAQ: CROX), a world leader in innovative casual footwear, today announced the return of the Crocs brand's Free Pair for Healthcare program for the fourth consecutive year.

Walt Disney World has reportedly declared war on Crocs, the ones you wear on your feet, following multiple incidents involving the foam slides jamming escalators. Similar Croc fiascos have been reported at The Land Pavillion in years prior as well.

Long-term wear of Crocs may also cause other serious foot conditions. “You're not thinking about it, but when you're wearing a shoe that wide, you're gripping with your toes, and when you grip with your toes to keep a shoe on, you can get tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and hammertoes in the long-term,” Dr. Barrow notes.

Very quickly, high-quality clogs replaced traditional nursing shoes, and today, the importance of clogs in the nursing profession cannot be understated, with slip-resistant soles, superior foot and arch support, and easy-clean materials providing enhanced safety and stability on wards around the world.

Footwear must be black (for the nursing teams) or a colour appropriate to the profession (for Health Professionals). Clogs / Crocs / Uggs / Plimsolls must not be worn.

Dansko Professional Clog

These Dansko clogs are a very popular shoe among nurses because they are durable and easy to wipe clean. In our survey, nurses especially appreciated their durability with multiple nurses who said that they've owned the same pair for years.

According to Dr. Michaels, Crocs do not offer adequate midfoot and ankle support for strenuous workouts like walking on a treadmill, running long distances, or lifting weights. In addition, its loose fit does not make it the ideal shoe for foot protection or stability at the gym.

What are the rules for nurses shoes? ›

Nursing shoes should be clean and free of odor. For safety, shoes should be non-permeable, low-heeled, and non-slip. Body fluids and other liquids can spill onto the floor or onto your shoes, increasing your risk for falls and infection. Nursing schools are more strict with this policy.

Shoes must be constructed of leather or non-cloth, man-made uppers with slip-resistant rubber soles (for example, Shoes for Crews™) with closed heels and toes. Shoes should be solid black (or colored Shoes for Crews from the approved Chick-fil-A collection).

They are a tripping hazard. They do not have nonslip soles; they are quite dangerous on wet floors. Very few had completely enclosed uppers and posed a problem in the case of spills. Some hospitals even restricted the use of CROCS branded work shoes that have non slip soles.

One of the main reasons nurses prefer clogs is the fact they have no laces. If you're assisting in surgery or carrying sharp instruments, it's difficult to see if your shoes are untied and this could cause an accident.

Crocs is accusing Walmart, Hobby Lobby and other companies of copying its iconic clog. The shoemaker filed four trademark infringement lawsuits last week in several US district courts against about 20 companies it alleges are violating its trademarks and other intellectual properties on the shoes.

If you're getting kids ready to go back to school you might want to think twice about sending them in Crocs. A number of primary and secondary schools are banning the footwear due to the issues they're causing in the playground.

Due to safety issues, sandals, shoes with holes in the top (CROCs) or other open toed shoes are NOT to be worn in direct patient care areas.

The bottom line. Many people enjoy wearing Crocs. They're lightweight, comfortable, and roomy, which makes them ideal for a range of activities. On the other hand, their lack of arch support can cause issues like plantar fasciitis, while their plastic construction may give you sweaty, smelly feet.