When I signed up to be a nurse, I knew that it came with long hours standing and many miles on my feet. Even so, I didn’t anticipate all the pain and soreness associated with that. My husband didn’t foresee all the foot rubs that would come along with it either. However, as much as I enjoyed the extra time and attention from my husband, I would have preferred not to spend the later half of most of my shifts experiencing leg and foot pain. It wasn’t until a couple of years into my nursing career that I realized something was lacking in my nursing gear: compression socks.
Why hadn’t anyone told me about compression socks in nursing school? I mean sure, we discuss compression hose and socks for post-operative patients as a tool to prevent blood clots and promote circulation. But I didn’t realize that the same devices that helped patients in their recovery process could help nurses better care for their legs.
Why Every Nurse Should Wear Compression Socks
Compressions Socks Reduce Soreness
Nursing is hard work. The hours are long, and the work is challenging. It stresses your body and your mind. While there are some that think the soreness is just par for the nursing course, I for one believe that unnecessary pain is for the birds. I look for any and every way to alleviate or prevent any physical discomfort. Fortunately, compression socks help increase circulation of blood flow and oxygen. This helps remove the lactic acid from building up in the muscles.
Compression Socks Reduce Leg Swelling
After working a 12 hour day, swollen legs and feet are almost guaranteed. You may be able to prop your feet up and get your significant other to give you a foot rub to reduce this issue, but wouldn’t it be great to avoid it altogether? Compression socks have been proven to reduce swelling.
Compression Socks Reduce Spider and Varicose Veins
Standing for extended periods of time can cause varicose veins by allowing blood to pool and enlarging veins in your lower extremities. Even if you love the color blue, you probably aren’t in love with the thought of your legs starting to resemble the aftermath of a blueberry pancake food fight. Just because nurses wear scrubs at work, doesn’t mean you should feel the need to cover up those beauties when you’re off the clock. However, it can be awkward and uncomfortable to let your stems show if you have developed spider veins. Luckily, compression stockings help relieve symptoms and slow the progress of varicose veins.
Your Dress Code Doesn’t Impact Your Sock Choice
Compressions socks come in many fun and funky colors and patterns. Even the most strict hospital uniform policy is probably not going to have any rules when it comes to the color or pattern of your socks. You can jazz things up a bit, and increase your mood and confidence, by wearing something that makes you feel fabulous. Under your solid scrubs, you can rock some amazingly stylish and expressive compression socks.
You Should Love Your Legs
Your legs work hard every day and don’t get the level of respect they deserve. Seriously, when is the last time you pampered those beauties? Do you get enough pedicures? Do you give them rubdowns daily? What are you doing to give your legs (and yourself) some love? Compression socks give your legs tight hugs all shift long and can help keep your legs looking and feeling fantastic. You and your legs deserve it.
Get Compression Socks to Fit Your Needs and Your Personality
A great part of compression socks does the following:
- They don’t roll down your legs. They stay put and won’t slip or slide down.
- They have some anti-microbial agent so your feet won’t stink
- They are aerated and won’t make your legs feel hot or itchy
- The compression socks are the proper compression for nurses on their feet all day: 20-30 mmHg compression
Great Compression Socks for Nurses
WOMEN’S BOX PLAID: OPAL & INK (MERINO WOOL)
WOMEN’S BOX PLAID: OPAL & INK (MERINO WOOL)Buy Now
These box plain compression stocking are super cute and have 15-20 mmHg of compression!
Go2 Compression Socks
These compression socks receive great reviews from nurses and athletes alike. They also have the needed 20-30 mmHg compression and come in a variety of colors and styles.
Hearts Compression Socks
These compression socks feature fun color hearts as well as 20-30mmhg of graduated compression. This results in “better blood circulation as strongest compression happens at the ankle, and gradually decreases moving up the leg.”
SnugFx Compression Socks
SocksLane
SocksLane cotton compression Socks are designed for the nurse who prefers natural fibers to itchy synthetic materials, they are made of an exclusive cotton blend that is hypoallergenic, breathable, and durable. Each pair is carefully crafted to provide the support your legs need during long shifts, stay put all day and be comfortable, even after many, many hours. Pick up a pair or two today!
More Awesome Compression Socks for Nurses
Compression Socks for Men & Women, BEST Graduated Athletic Fit for Running, Nurses, Shin Splints, Flight Travel, & Maternity Pregnancy. Boost Stamina, Circulation, & Recovery – Includes FREE EBook!
Nurse Mates Women’s 12-14 Mmhg Compression Trouser Sock EkgGo2 Compression Socks for Women and Men Athletic Running Socks for Nurses Medical Graduated Nursing Compression Socks for Travel Running Sports Socks!! (Blue Polka Dot, Medium)Graduated Compression Socks for Sports Running Circulation Flight Travel Nurses & Recovery – Men(Shoe Size:6.5-11) & Women(Shoe Size:8-12) – BlackCompression Socks (Ocean Stripes M/ 20-30mmHg) Men & Women Fun Running Casual Socks4 Pairs Dr. Motion Therapeutic Graduated Compression Women’s Knee-hi Socks (WCOMP-SL10)CompressionZ Below Knee High Compression Socks (1 Pair), 20-30mmHg, Large – BlackPremium 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks for Nurses Medical Graduated Nursing Compression Socks Women Men Athletic Running Travel Recovery Doc Miller (Black/Blue, Large)
Like the other compression stockings we’ve included, these have 20-30mmhg of graduated compression. This makes them great for prevention and treatment of varicose veins, wear during travel, and keeping your legs and feet from aching during a 12 hours shift.
What brand and style of compression socks do you wear?
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We have many nurses and health care professional that make use of compression stockings. They seem to find it very valuable after being on foot most of the working day.
It got me when you said that wearing compression socks will reduce soreness. As you mentioned, the type of work that a nurse does includes lots of hours of challenging work which stresses the mind an body. This means that it will reduce the stress in a person as well if they find ways to reduce pain in the muscles or other parts of the body due to lots of tasks done in a day.
Great blogpost, I think nurses have to stand for long working hours which could cause them to suffer from varicose veins and edema. That is the reason they have to wear compression socks to get rid of varicose veins. Compression Socks help to reduce the risk of blood clots. Thank you!!
Excellent article, with fun gifs!
I hear so many nurses complain of varicose veins, swollen legs and other leg conditions. I just want to scream at them: COMPRESSION SOCKS!
I personally find the Go2 socks to work really well. Nurse Mate’s are very popular, but I find that the ER design on the side of the socks is a bit in poor taste, and a bit too flashy.
Compression socks are indeed better than the normal socks as they reduce the stress caused due to excessive physical activity. The best part is they can be worn outside work to!
Compression socks utilize gradient pressure to help circulate blood and oxygen throughout the extremities to aid in muscle recovery. Which is helps prevent leg swelling and to a lesser extent, blood clots. It is a more stylish and healthy socks. It has many benefits like Increases leg energy, Reduces leg pain, Reduces swelling in feet and ankles, Reduces varicose & spider veins, Reduces incidence of blood clots.
It is very useful, but few things you need to know before buying it so I just want to recommend you to read this article: https://goo.gl/UMPyMl
Would compression socks be beneficial if you have an office job? I know that prolonged sitting is not good for you either. Thanks
I am a new graduate nurse and bought a pair from the uniform store when I started school. I like them-they are ok, however I believe I may more support. I wish I was somewhat informed on this when I was in nursing school. I know wearing stockings have become a thing of the past, but being on your feet in a 12 hour shift is sometimes painful. Thank you for informing me on the reasons why I should need them….now to figure out which style and mmHG to buy. Can you suggest where I can go to get the information I need to decide what sock is best for me (beside this one brand)? I surfed the internet and could not find anything but ads. I am looking to be properly educated on this. Thank you in advance.
Are you an affiliate? Why are you promoting this brand? Also, you said nothing about the different compression ratings. Measured in millimeters of mercury over atmospheric pressure, just like a blood pressure, mmHG, so we can figure out the best compression. Does this brand of sock come in multiple compression choices? What is the compression measurement? Why does it matter? How does one shop for the best compression sock? Hmmm…the vascular surgeon I work with in the operating room, does a calf measurement and blood pressure reading. I am sure these socks are pretty, but do they have a variety to choose from as far as compression and fit?
These are the questions I ask when I am facing socks wondering which to buy..yeah these colors are goovy, but who cares if they don’t actually do the job adeqately?
Courtney,
As disclosed in the post, I did work with TCS on this post. This post in not about all the technical details and specific medical needs and requirements the socks can provide. I do not provide medical advice on this blog. This blog post was meant to let nurses know that they should be wearing them, but I think a blog post about how to find the best ones is a great idea.
However, these socks are medical grade, but my to knowledge do not come with a variety of sizes. The types of compression socks that vascular patients need are different than those that most nurses need. According to the TCS website, “The TCS Ellipsis Pro product provides clinically effective medical grade compression delivering 20-30mmhg to the ankle.”
I hope that helps.
most
I need the kind with the toes out. I got toe fungus from wearing the full foot kind. I got the calf compression sleeves and they work well, too.
Well at least those compression socks are pretty cute!
they are pretty awesome!