Care That Comes to You

Nursing foot care is an essential component of total nursing care. An Advanced Foot Care Nurse assess the holistic wellness of the individual, paying special attention to the health of the foot incorporating sense of sight, touch and smell to formulate a nursing diagnosis. The nurse performs treatments involving any pathology of the epidural layer of the skin and nails of the feet. These treatments are performed with the goal of promoting foot health, maintenance, restoration of lower extremities and prevention of lower limb complications. Along with treatment, providing education, acting as a community resource for the client and advocating for the clients total health and well-being are all part of the Scope of Practice for a Foot Care Nurse. When a skill is beyond the scope of practice it is the responsibility of the Foot Care Nurse to refer the client to an appropriate health professional. 

The Foot Care Nurse will assess each client, from below the knee to the tip of the toes. The assessment includes the skin, the structure of the feet and the nails.

The nurse will use knowledge, skill and judgement to determine the treatment for the acute and chronic symptoms. Acute symptoms such as ingrown toenails and chronic symptoms such as corns can be assessed and treated or referred to the most appropriate provider if it is outside of the scope of practice of the foot care nurse.

During assessment and treatment the nurse will educate the client. Proper client education is crucial to improve health status of their feet.

A plan of care is then organized by the foot care nurse together with the client to provide direction for individualized care. Outlined on the plan will be a list of diagnoses and how the client can continue treatment on their own in order to maintain healthy feet. If the client can not carry out the plan of care due to physical restrictions than other solutions will be determined to assist with this. Ensuring scheduled visits with the nurse are made and the length of time between visits is appropriate will be included in the plan of care.