would like some info on wearing open-toed shoes on a psych unit. i've worked on 3 different psych units, 2 of which we could wear open-toed shoes. there is not an OSHA rule against this & the only infection control issue i can find regards where you would need PPE (shoecovers).
I can't imagine a unit where it was acceptable, and I KNOW it wouldn't be comfortable after an entire shift of wearing open toed shoes, but I have no idea where you can find any info on it, other than probably just asking someone at the hospital what the policy is.
Sorry it wasn't a very good answer but I don't know what else to say.
Why would you want to wear open toed shoes anyway? They can't be very comfy after a few hours of work, can they?
Not to be opinionated, but didnt they teach you in nursing school that open-toed shoes are not acceptable? I must have went to a school with a ton of rules. Our hair had to be up off the collar, we had to wear hose, yes panty hose under our nursing uniform, one pair of earrings, a wedding band only, if married, no other rings allowed. Very little, if any make-up allowed. Ok, you get the point. Sorry for being a little judgemental. Just letting you know what I was taught in school. I know that when we graduate and get out into the real world, we dont all do as we did in school.
Just as an FYI, on many Psych units the nurses don't wear uniforms. So they are wearing street shoes also.
On a regular unit open toed would definately not be acceptable and for me even the clog type shoes would not work. I want my socks covered...lol
For safety reasons, you wouldn't catch me in open-toed shoes. Besides the obvious infection control issues, the last thing I need is an agitated patient breaking my toes. . . . .
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.comOnce you have a pt stomp on your open toe foot you wont wear sandals again. Work isn't a fashion show. No need for the pretty shoes. I always wear closed toe tie on shoes.
close toes shoes are allways the best choice for work.
I personally dont like the idea of open toed shoes on medical floors so I wouldnt wear them on a psych unit even though there is no policy against it..It's just safer that way. We need to be careful with our health.
porcelina wrote:Not to be opinionated, but didnt they teach you in nursing school that open-toed shoes are not acceptable? I must have went to a school with a ton of rules. Our hair had to be up off the collar, we had to wear hose, yes panty hose under our nursing uniform, one pair of earrings, a wedding band only, if married, no other rings allowed. Very little, if any make-up allowed. Ok, you get the point. Sorry for being a little judgemental. Just letting you know what I was taught in school. I know that when we graduate and get out into the real world, we dont all do as we did in school.
Same thing at my school. For safety reasons I wouldn't wear open-toed shoes even if it was acceptable.
First I can't believe that any facility psych or not would allow nursing staff in direct patient care to wear open toed shoes. I would check with your HR department to make sure it's alright. Don't assume because others are doing it it's ok. I work psych and while we do wear business casual there are strict guidlines for footwear. Dealing with High acuity patients I would not wear open toes for safety reasons even if they were allowed. I can't imagine doing a take down in stappy shoes. The same goes for clogs which tend to fly off your feet if you have to run.
From an infection control standpoint the most filthy place in any hospital is the floor. I recently walked into a patient's groom and stepped in a puddle of semen. Would have been really gross instead of just gross if that got on my toes.
Hppygr8ful
PS my hospital shoes are never worn anywhere but at the hospital!
cowgirlup wrote:would like some info on wearing open-toed shoes on a psych unit. i've worked on 3 different psych units, 2 of which we could wear open-toed shoes. there is not an OSHA rule against this & the only infection control issue i can find regards where you would need PPE (shoecovers).
At my hospital if there is the slightest chance that you will enter a patient's room regardless of where it is open-toed shoes are not permitted.
I saw people wearing open toed shoes when I did my psych rotation in school and I thought it was a bad idea. You never know what you're going to step in, even in psych and I wouldn't take the risk. I also have a problem with those Crocs that people wear. There are holes in those things!!! The last thing I want is someone's blood, puke, feces or urine on my feet and if you're going to expose your feet like that you may as well be barefoot.
In a Psych Ward, all it takes is one agitated patient, and open-toes shoes will open you up to a world of hurt.
I can see where it adds to a "laid back" appearance and may help a patient relax. However, I've seen too many patient attack nurses to give them an easy target.
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.comHi everyone,
For what it's worth, I think open toed shoes in any work environment except a business office would be hazardous for the wearer.
R
I would think in a psych ward you would be even LESS inclined to want to wear open toed shoes...hmm, on med surg you have blood, urine and poop, on psych you have all of the above plus spit and seman thrown in for good measure...and the patient's are throwing in on the floor and at you on purpose...naw, I think I want my feet covered.
I was a psych PCA for almost 3 years, and I would have to say it's a bad idea. I've had patients try to stomp my foot, throw things on the floor (or at me/my feet), shove chairs at me (potential for jammed toes) and even (with guys) attempt to pee on my pants leg/feet. So you may be allowed to, but I definitely would NOT advise it.
Personally I would love to wear sandals at work. I love sandals. I feel comfortable that ways also. Also if I wore sandals at work I would get even more of those wonderful pedicures. And show off my latest choice of colored polish for my toenails. Being self indulgent is so much fun
It's called "safety/falls precautions, liability, dress code, policies........
If there is not an OSHA rule I think you can wear them depending on your facility rules. However, I don't see what the benefits would be. I was actually drawing up meds once and dropped the syringe and it landed on my foot. Thank goodness for my shoes! You never know what can happen during a day of nursing so the more protection the better.
porcelina wrote:Not to be opinionated, but didnt they teach you in nursing school that open-toed shoes are not acceptable? I must have went to a school with a ton of rules. Our hair had to be up off the collar, we had to wear hose, yes panty hose under our nursing uniform, one pair of earrings, a wedding band only, if married, no other rings allowed. Very little, if any make-up allowed. Ok, you get the point. Sorry for being a little judgemental. Just letting you know what I was taught in school. I know that when we graduate and get out into the real world, we dont all do as we did in school.
same here! that's how we are trained too..and we are not allowed to wear earrings (even just studs for girls and boys of course) and wedding rings--all jewelries not allowed except for a wrist watch engraved with your name! Make up and nail polish are also a no no..as to shoes, they have to be closed of regardless of the area where you were assigned and I kinda adapted that policy until now!
Regarding some of the no-no's various schools 'impose' on us: In Psych, one never knows how a patient might react. Earrings can get pulled.
As for nails? Well, they can (and will) break, not to mention bacteria, no matter how well we wash our hands. And do you really want to insert a suppository with fake nails? And I have seen some really loooong nails out there.
I agree...we could wear anything we want outside the hosp,but while on duty let's just keep ourselves simple This will make us even more comfortable too
