STEPPING INTO OPPORTUNITY :
The Growing Role of Foot Care Nurses
By Yvette Conyers
Overview
What is a foot care nurse ? Let me take a moment to share more about this fascinating nursing specialty , its certification process , and the essential roles these professionals fulfill .
Foot care nursing has a long history , dating back to practices in Indigenous communities , where nurses provided foot washes for comfort or spiritual purposes . Today , foot care nurses are trained to provide comprehensive care for clients from the knees to the toes , while also addressing the mental , psychosocial , socioeconomic , and cultural or spiritual factors that may influence the care clients receive .
Training to become a foot care nurse is offered through various well-established programs , both online and in person . Nurses can also leverage their professional experience to prepare for national certification . Certification is strongly encouraged and can be obtained through the Wound , Ostomy , and Continence Nursing Certification Board ( WOCNCB ®), which is recognized as the gold standard . Achieving a Certified Foot Care Nurse ( CFCN ®) certification demonstrates a nurse ’ s expertise , skills , and ability to deliver high-quality foot care while improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of foot care nursing .
Assessment
Let ’ s explore the role of foot care nurses in greater detail . While many people assume they are simply nail trimmers , the expertise of foot care nurses extends far beyond that . Bachelor-prepared foot care nurses are equipped to conduct focused lower extremity assessments , gather comprehensive health histories , and develop client-centered care plans based on nursing diagnoses . Their work requires a deep understanding of systemic conditions such as diabetes , peripheral vascular or arterial disease , and cardiovascular issues such as
hypertension , as well as the implications of related medications and patient compliance . Additionally , foot care nurses assess the client ’ s use of assistive devices , considering factors like mobility , balance , and vision impairments .
During an assessment , a foot care nurse evaluates various factors , including skin color , circulation , temperature , hair growth and distribution , moisture levels , pain , and overall skin integrity . When examining toenails , the nurse looks for signs such as excessive length , deformities , thickening , or discoloration , which could indicate local or systemic issues , also known as onychopathology . A thorough understanding of toenail anatomy , proper use of debridement tools , personal protective equipment , and cleaning and sanitization protocols is essential to minimize risk to both the client
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