One too many trips to the hospital and now you’re seeing a pattern. Were many people from the medical staff actually wearing Crocs? You try to convince yourself that it’s just a coincidence or that it’s irrelevant. It’s not a coincidence and it’s definitely not irrelevant.
Hospital Staff have been known to wear Crocs as their footwear of choice during their shifts, and for good reason. It’s a popular trend, and if you’re a medical worker yourself and wondering why, be sure to read this article as we discuss the story behind Crocs and Hospital Staff.
While there are few variants of Crocs that are fit for use in the medical sector, Crocs are not allowed in most hospitals nowadays. Next, we discuss why.
Disclaimer: Before we discuss the reasoning behind wearing Crocs as Hospital Staff and inevitably discuss the benefits of wearing Crocs, keep in mind that NHS has effectively banned the use of Crocs in hospitals in the UK, over safety concerns, arguing that they don’t protect against spills and sharp objects. After this decision, most Hospitals worldwide removed Crocs and other clog-style footwear from their dress code. We are not advocating against this decision and as of today we recommend that any hospital workers reading this stick to trainers/boots/footwear in accordance with the guidelines provided to them by their Hospital.
- WORK CLOGS FOR WOMEN: Neria is dependable and ready to make the rounds with protection and comfort every step of the way. These are the work Crocs women need for long days and nights
- EASY TO CLEAN: Crocs Neria Pro II clogs are easy to clean by just using soap and water and allowing for a quick dry. The updated style includes removable, washable footbed liners
- WHAT SIZE SHOULD I BUY?: These slip resistant work shoes offer a relaxed fit and we recommend ordering a size down to the next largest whole size
- THICK CONSTRUCTION: These Crocs work shoes have thicker toe regions to protect feet from spills. These non-slip shoes for women are perfect as kitchen shoes, nursing shoes, chef shoes and work Crocs for any other demanding "on-your-feet" industry
- CERTIFIED COMFORTABLE SHOES: Crocs that are fully ASTM F2913-11 tested, CE Certified. Meets or exceeds EN ISO 20347:2012, OB, SRC
Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Keeping in mind this disclaimer, let us discuss why Crocs are the shoe of choice for most Hospital workers:
- Easy to Clean
With all those holes, it might not look like it, but since Crocs are made from rubber, all they need to be cleaned is a wet piece of cloth, a diligent scrubbing and that’s it. Plus, they dry very quickly too, again because rubber. When trainers get stained, with say blood, the stain is nearly impossible to remove. It not only makes you look unprofessional, but also acts as a psychological factor in the health of many patients, who would associate blood stains with negative thoughts and ideas.
- Provide Support
Compared to trainers or boots, Crocs or clogs have a much sturdier design. Since, as part of the hospital staff, you’re required to support and carry patients, having a robust piece of footwear is an absolute necessity. They help support your feet and ankles and protect your back against additional strain, keeping your back and legs strong and less likely to suffer musculoskeletal injuries.
- Comfortable
While their design seems rigid this point seems counterintuitive, Crocs and clogs are more comfortable than you think. Most trainers and boots you will buy are malleable to an extent. That means the product you buy will likely change once you’re wearing them for an extended period of time. So, they could be comfortable in the store, but on your 12-hour shift they’re unbearable. Crocs, since they’re made from rubber, have a rigid frame. What you buy is what you will get. So, spending the extra time and finding a comfortable pair of Crocs is definitely worth it.
- Ventilation
Working in a hospital you’re already more likely to catch bacteria or fungus. With closed off shoe wear like trainers, your feet are going to be sweaty, in addition to being in a germ dense environment. Take all that together, and you’re more likely to develop fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Plus, you’ll be much more productive and less grumpy when your feet aren’t sweaty.
- Durability
As expected from rubber products, Crocs last longer, while also retaining their shape and colour when compared to other footwear. So, while Crocs might have a higher upfront cost, they’re more economical and provide a better value for money in the long run.
- No Laces
An added bit of convenience, but more importantly this is a safeguard against tripping and causing damage that could tip the scales in a patient’s life or death situation. With no laces, you also don’t have to worry about the fit of the footwear. It either fits you, or it doesn’t. There’s no in-between. There’s also no possibility of accidentally tying a knot and getting your feet stuck in a Croc, which is just a beautiful thought.
- Easy to Slip into or Slip out off
While this is another added bit of convenience, hospital staff have to be alert and act quickly whenever the need arises. In such cases, if you’ve taken off your shoes and now need to hurry someplace, you’re wasting precious time which could be crucial in the health of a patient. Crocs reduce that time-period by a huge amount, as they’re slip-on and can be slipped into/ out of within seconds. Plus, having no laces saves you additional time.
- Protects your Feet
While clogs do a better job than Crocs at protecting your feet, because they have no gaps in between, both rubber shoes are better than generic trainers, because a sharp object could simply pierce through the fabric of the trainers, not only injuring you but also causing commotion in what could be a delicate situation. It is imperative for you to keep your feet protected, because you can’t help patients if you need help yourself.
- Slip-Resistant
Since clogs and Crocs are mostly made of rubber, they usually feature anti-slip functionality, which is a huge help when dealing with large amounts of fluid, whether it’s due to a hurricane or a patient losing a large amount of blood. We understand that we’re not really painting a pretty picture here but there’s nothing pretty about hospitals and accidents. Plus, they allow you to run faster on hospital floors, which we’ve found to be slippery in many instances.
- Helps reduce stress
Being a hospital worker is not an easy job. You’re on your feet most of the time and have little time to relax. If your footwear is not comfortable and supportive, an 8-hour shift can feel like 16 hours. Or with shoes that are comfortable, supportive and add convenience to your job, the same 8 hours can feel like 4. Crocs help you achieve that by supporting your back, while also doing much of the work that your legs have to do and being very comfortable and easy to maintain, making them the ideal footwear in such situations, taking away the stress of your job.
A quick reminder, we don’t condone the use of Crocs in hospitals, at least as long as they are banned in the hospital you work in. If they are allowed in your hospital, which seems very unlikely, feel free to browse the net for options that might suit you. This was simply an effort to understand why hospital workers preferred wearing Crocs and clogs over other pieces of footwear. Well now you know why.
There were many efforts by the company to make them fit for use in the medical industry, which a few variants achieved little success with. They were deemed fit for use in the medical sector itself, but not in Hospitals.
Well, that’s it for the story behind Crocs and Hospital Staff. If you are aware of any hospitals still permitting the use of Crocs for their hospital staff, feel free to let us know about these hospitals in the comment section below. We’re always intrigued in knowing whether banning Crocs has actually had an impact on medical workplace safety. If you know any benefits of Crocs that we are unaware about, you can let know, also down in the comments.
If you have any feedback/queries for us, you can contact us directly here.
Choose your footwear wisely and stay safe!
