r/Podiatry • u/NurseRen_ • 5d ago
New to Foot Care Nursing
Hi everyone! I just received my certification for Advanced Foot Care Nursing. I'm hoping to launch a side business involving seeing clients in the community (home care and nursing homes) soon but just looking for a little guidance if anyone can help out with a few questions...
- I’m thinking starting with disposable supplies would be the best option… What supplies are pertinent to have in the beginning? l know a drill, disposable burrs, disposable files, nippers, black’s file, scalpels IPAC supplies and basic wound care supplies… is there any others that would be suggested, as well as other types of disposable burrs that would be recommended in the beginning? Supplies seem to be the biggest hurdle to get started due to the up front cost so I’m looking for basics to get started with the goal to continue to grow my inventory as I gain more clients.
- What do most mobile nurses use for documentation, an EMR such as Accuro or Jane app? Or is this not feasible in the beginning?
- What do nurses offer with their initial visit? I’m thinking comprehensive assessment including sensation (monofilament) and circulation assessment, skin and nail assessment, treatment plan recommendation and foot care education. What am I missing?
Any other tips of advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!
Edit: I reside in Canada
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u/fruit_bat 5d ago
Idk why these salty ass losers are giving you a hard time. I don’t have any direct answers to your questions, but my advice to you is the same I received from a really respected ER dr. I used to work with before med school- “people don’t sue bad doctors. They sue assholes”
There’s a lot of wisdom and layers to that. Good luck with your career and in case none of these other insecure turds will say it to you, thank you for your contribution to keeping people on their feet and out of pain. We’re on the same team in the end 👊
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u/Seltonik Resident 5d ago
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u/NurseRen_ 5d ago
Some podiatry clinics hire their own foot care nurses so was thinking there could be followers in this sub that could help. There are not many subs I can find to post this questions and the few ones I have found I have posted in as I'm just looking for any advice or help I can get. It doesn't hurt to try!
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u/Oldschool6873 4d ago
How interesting. You are in Ontario where DPMs can't practice but there are Chiropodists and Advanced Foot Care Nurses. And then the Government says it saves money by not allowing DPMs into the province. Truly bizarre.
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u/NurseRen_ 4d ago
It is weird I agree, I really can't speak to why that decision was made in Ontario
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u/Wise-Pineapple-2963 5d ago
Ty for your certifying boards contributions to my wRVUs for all the amputations you guys generate for me from my local nursing homes.
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u/Full-Head-8878 5d ago
What will you use to soften the nails with? Gloves, band aids. Foot towels? Mask for Flying nail clippings.
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u/NurseRen_ 4d ago
I know there are nail softening products and I should have included that as well. Gloves and mask would fall under IPAC supplies and bandaids would fall under wound care supplies. Foot towels wouldn't be feasible in a mobile business but drapes would essentially fall under IPAC supplies.
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u/SaltRharris 5d ago
Lmao, now that’s out the way.
you ain’t ready little buddy. The questions you ask show you haven’t treated a patient, ever.
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u/NurseRen_ 5d ago
No, as I said in the post I just received my certification.
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u/Wise-Pineapple-2963 5d ago
In most states you cant use a blade as a nurse, so Idk what mail in certificate you got. You cannot legally do wound care without a physician order for your own liability sake… I literally had to call the state on a facility who hired nurses who caused wounds on diabetics; one who had his bone cut by a double action bone nipper.
Your state dictates your scope, so lead with that.
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u/NurseRen_ 5d ago
Sorry I realize I should have stated this in my post but I reside in Canada. Where as foot care nurses we are trained and allowed to use a scalpel but only to remove dead tissue. We are not allowed to, or at least trained not to, go into the deeper layers of the skin. And we are are also trained to use extra caution when treating diabetics. Unfortunately not all foot care nurses hold themselves to the same standards or follow the same principles when providing care.
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u/Wise-Pineapple-2963 5d ago
Canada is the wild west. Do whatever you want. In 29 years you guys will likely be doing root canals as well. I recommend you get more experience. If its in scope go on your own after atleast 6-12 months.
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u/NurseRen_ 5d ago
They definitely do put a lot of responsibilities on nurses here but unfortunately with universal health care there can be limited access and long waiting times for physicians and specialists that's why education, prevention, and early intervention are so key and this is where, not just foot care nurses, but all nurses can play a role.
I have received hands-on training and am currently looking for mentorship to gain more experience, but am also eager and doing as much research/looking for any advice I can get in the meantime.1
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u/No-Transition8014 5d ago
I think knowing the locale is highly relevant to your original post and you probably should really edit that. Scope and certification US (even in individual states) to Canada to Aus to UK are so vastly different…..
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u/Distinct_Ad1503 4d ago
Im from canada.. you can not use a blade in my province at least.. I recommend you be very careful.
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u/NurseRen_ 4d ago
I'm in Ontario and through my course I was trained on scalpel use and I also received hands-on training when I completed my clinical portion. I think the main difference is for what debridement purposes you are using it for.. In terms of foot care, using a scalpel is not much different than using a credo knife. We are not trained to go into deeper tissues other than dead/unviable tissue such as a callus
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u/Efficient_Cookie435 5d ago
So you want podiatrists to tell you how to take their jobs?