Who is a certified foot care nurse?
Only currently registered, licensed Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses who have completed a certification course in Advanced Nursing Foot Care can practice nursing foot care. In Ontario, Canada, the public can access information on the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) website verifying the current standing of an RN or RPN to practice nursing in Ontario. A certified foot care nurse should be able to produce a certificate of completion in Advanced Nursing Foot Care. Don’t hesitate to ask to see it.
What services can I expect?
- Obtain a medical/nursing history and be able to make correlations between medical conditions and medications as they apply to the overall health of the feet
- Assessment of the feet
- Toenail cleaning, clipping, filing
- Removal of ingrown toenails
- Corn and callus reduction
- Padding of tender areas
- Foot massage
- Assessment and recommendations for footwear
- Assessment and recommendations for skin conditions such as tinea pedis and cellulitis
Who benefits from nursing foot care?
- diabetics
- people with rheumatoid arthritis
- individuals with vision problems
- individuals with mobility problems
- anyone who is unable to self-treat conditions such as fungal and thickened toenails, corns, calluses, athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
Payment and Coverage?
For Canadian veterans, nursing foot care is covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Ask the foot care nurse if she/he is a DVA Provider.
There is a fee for service for certified nursing foot care services. Some private insurance providers will cover a portion of the fee. Nursing foot care services are an allowable income tax deduction.
Always obtain a receipt for payments made. Make sure the foot care nurse includes their nursing license/registration number on the receipt.
Other Questions to Ask the Foot Care Nurse?
- How do you clean your instruments? In Ontario, Canada, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care mandates that foot care instruments are to be sterilized by autoclave. No other method of cleaning/disinfecting will thoroughly sterilize instruments.
- Frequency of visits? Typically, visits are scheduled for every 6 weeks. This may vary depending on individual clients.
Where to find a foot care nurse?
- online – some certified foot care nurses have online listings, blogs
- home healthcare agencies may provide certified nursing foot care as in-home visits or in clinics
- your doctor may be able to make a referral
- in Ontario, Canada, Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) have listings of certified foot care nurses
- word of mouth
