Why do nurses wear white shoes? Isn’t black good!

Most nurses work in a clinical setting where they must abide by certain dress codes and regulations. In addition, nurses wear white shoes as a dress code. But why? What is the reason behind this? Let’s see!

Students in nursing school learn a lot about taking care of patients, but they also learn a lot about themselves as well. They will be challenged and tested so they can become the best nurses possible. Nurses are known to be one of the most compassionate professions out there, and they will need that compassion not only for their patients but for themselves as well.

Why do nurses wear white shoes?

A nurse at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, explains the reason why medical professionals wear white shoes.

They’re not just comfortable and practical to wear all day – white shoes are a nurse’s tradition that also sends a message. So Celyne Smith, a registered nurse working in the emergency room at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, said, “White shoes mean you’re a nurse”, “Black shoes mean you’re probably administrative support.” A nurse’s white shoes are her badge of honor, worn with pride to show that she is part of a caring profession. The white dress code as a symbol of an ideal nurse has been around for a long time and provides different features from other professionals. However, nurses now wear clothes of different colors besides white, such as blue, orange, etc.

Wearing bright white shoes is also important for safety reasons – it makes nurses more visible on hospital floors where many patients are elderly, have vision problems, or cannot see their surroundings due to other conditions. The color white stands out against most bodily fluids. This helps nurses quickly find injured patients and allows the patients to see their rescuers coming toward them more easily.

However, shoes seem to be a bit of an afterthought in the medical profession, and yet so many people notice them. That’s because nurses need to show up looking put together and professional at all times. The shoes they choose can communicate quite a lot about who they are and how they feel about their jobs. The color white stands out against most bodily fluids. This helps nurses find injured patients faster and patients see their rescuers coming towards them more easily.  

On the other hand, students in nursing school learn a lot about taking care of patients, but they also learn a lot about themselves as well. They will be challenged and tested so they can become the best nurses possible. Nurses are known to be one of the most compassionate professions out there, and they will need that compassion not only for their patients but for themselves as well.

Finally, if you want to know the exact history of nurses wearing white shoes then follow below.

The history of nurses wearing white shoes!

Nurses have been wearing white shoes for a long time. They were the first to wear them. But why? And when did this start? Let’s dive a little deeper into the history of nursing and find out!

At first glance, the history behind the practice may seem simple enough. White was chosen for its cleanliness, representing purity and innocence. But there are many layers to this story. The origins go back to the days when nuns cared for patients in their own homes, often without pay. These nurses were expected to dress modestly so as not to distract or inspire lustful thoughts in their male customers or other caregivers. So they wore white shifts over plain black dresses that covered them.

This was followed by White shoes being a staple of the nurse’s uniform, but did you know that they were originally worn to minimize the risk of infection? The practice of wearing white shoes dates back to World War I when nurses volunteered in hospitals. Nurses quickly discovered that their shoes would get soaked with blood, pus, and other fluids on the floor, which posed a health risk if they didn’t disinfect them frequently. Other colors tended to show stains more easily than white, so it was deemed best for nurses to wear white shoes.

Also by reviewing the history we find that in the early 19th century, Florence Nightingale advocated for nurses to wear uniforms of white dresses and caps with starched white bonnets. He believed that if nurses wore white clothes and shoes, it would be healthier because the germs attached to them could be easily seen. Nightingale also felt that wearing a uniform set nurses apart from other servants and gave them a sense of autonomy. White was also a symbol of purity, so the nurses readily accepted Nightingale’s opinion. 

Can nurses wear black shoes?

Nurses are very creative individuals. They work in a challenging environment and they use their creativity to keep them motivated. Some nurses use their dress sense as a form of self-expression. They show off their originality by wearing the most unusual pairs of shoes on duty, just like these nurses who wear black shoes!

Many nurses have become influencers in the fashion world with their unique style and clothing choice. However, that does not mean that all nurses have to wear stylish clothes during work hours. The most important thing about a nurse’s appearance is his/her safety and cleanliness!

Nurses should always wear clean shoes during work hours. One study found that about 80% of nurses who were interviewed said that black was their favorite color for footwear (especially nursing shoes). They even recommended it to other members of the nursing community! 

Black shoes are more acceptable for professional nurses and white for students because students’ dress code is more predominant.

What’s the Difference Between White and black shoes?

Popularity

Although white shoes are a tradition for nurses, the truth is that black shoes are currently at the top of their list of favorites. We have already mentioned the results of a study where 80% of nurses said black shoes are favorite. There are two main reasons why they prefer black to white.

# White shoes get dirty quickly so regular cleaning is required. These become very difficult to clean, hard stains cannot be easily removed. Also, these shoes cannot be worn with all kinds of clothes. So now the color white is relatively less popular.

# Meanwhile black shoes are less dirty and much easier to clean. They are available in different color combinations so they can be worn with almost all types of clothes. Moreover, they can be used to participate in various activities as well as professional work. 

Design

White sneakers are usually of simple design. You will find a small variety of them in the market. On the other hand,  Black sneakers range from simple to gorgeous designs. You will get innumerable designs as per your mind.

Dirty

All the dirt is visible on the white footwear so it looks very dirty. Meanwhile, dirt is not easily visible in black footwear, so it can be worn without cleaning for many days.

Cleaning

White means something bright! There is also a tendency to get dirty. Its stains become very difficult to clean. Conversely, stains can be easily removed because dirt is less visible on black things.

Price

Since the demand for white is less so the price is a little lower. You will get it at a reasonable price. Conversely, the demand for black shoes is higher, so the price is a little higher.

When to use white shoes?

If white is included as a specific dress code in nursing school and the workplace, you must wear white-colored shoes. 

On the other hand, white shoes are not always suitable for all occasions. You can wear a pair of shoes with a white dress because white shoes go great with a white dress – especially if you want to wear matching shoes. So look for use in educational institutions, clinics, or hospitals – the best white shoes for nurses.

When to use black shoes?

Black shoes are a must for nurses who want to look sharp and professional. Because black is a good pairing with any outfit, from khaki and button-ups on the weekends to jeans. Unfortunately, many do not understand when and how to wear black shoes.

Black shoes are a great choice for any workday occasion. Black shoe etiquette is important for those who want to look professional and feel confident at work. They can be worn with nearly any color combination, and look great with both dark and light-colored clothing.

There are different occasions where black shoes will match your outfit best. So black footwear helps you look more professional and smart. You can find the best black nursing shoes here if you want.

How to clean white and black nursing shoes?

Nursing shoes are normally black or white. They are comfortable but they get dirty after a few days of walking, running, and standing. So they need to be cleaned regularly. You can do this in some simple process if you want.

White shoes: White nursing shoes are very difficult to clean, in which case you will need a good whitening agent. Something with bleach will work best for this task. Using toothpaste is an option too if you want something more natural. Apply the product of your choice to the shoes and then leave them out in direct sunlight for several hours or overnight if possible. If your nursing shoes happen to be patent leather, the process will be similar.

Black shoes: The first step is finding out what kind of material your shoes are made of, then you can use the right cleaning product for that type of material. Some materials are easier to clean than others, but some are impossible to clean without damaging the texture or color. So read this article to get the job done with utmost caution: how to clean black shoes.

To wrap things up!

Many hospitals or clinics force their staff to wear white shoes. Nurses are no exception, and they often wear white shoes because of the high volume of foot traffic found in hospitals. Just like other industries where white shoes are worn, nurses can easily spot spills or injuries on the floor if their shoes stand out from the flooring.

In today’s blog, we discussed why it is that nurses wear white shoes throughout their careers. We hope you found this article helpful and don’t forget to let us know in the comment box if we can do anything else for you.