Why Nurses Should Wear Compression Socks

When I first started working in healthcare, it didn’t take long for me to realise just how long I was going to spend on my feet every shift. Not only was the work fast-paced, sitting down was a rarity – which, first of all, meant I needed to find myself some reliable shoes to wear with scrubs.

And yet, I was still struggling with tired legs at the end of a long shift – which is why I was delighted when my colleagues suggested giving compression socks a try.

Take it from me – whether you’re just getting started in nursing or are looking for some serious relief while standing up on long shifts – the right compression socks for nurses can make all the difference. Let’s take a closer look at why, and what you need to look for.

What Are Compression Socks and How Do They Work?

Compression socks are stockings that help to reduce pain and fatigue in your legs and feet by supporting the blood flow in your lower extremities.

As a nurse, being on your feet for so many hours a day can lead to blood pooling and poor circulation, putting you at risk of soreness and discomfort, and potentially vein conditions and ulcers.

By gently compressing your legs and their blood vessels, compression socks can help redirect blood away from your feet and back towards your heart, preventing pooling and keeping your circulation healthy.

In fact, studies show that the right compression socks can help your physical performance, mitigate damage caused by exercise, and even increase oxygen saturation in your blood:

“Wearing below-knee CS during exercise (or sport/physical activity) improved the actual performance in a small number of the studies analyzed. However, there is some evidence that wearing CS could benefit muscle fatigue indicators and muscle soreness immediately after and hours after an exercise bout.”

Mota, G.R. et al.

The Impact of Compression Socks on Nurses' Health and Well-Being

Compression socks for nurses can help reduce swelling, soreness, and fatigue, improve blood flow and circulation, and reduce your risk of DVT and varicose veins. 

Our customers tell us that one of the biggest benefits of wearing nursing compression socks from our range is that their legs and feet feel fresher and less fatigued the day after a gruelling shift. By introducing them into your daily uniform, you’re doing your body some serious long-term good.

Top Benefits of Compression Socks for Nurses

Let’s break down the top benefits you can expect from wearing compression socks.

1. Reduces Swelling and Fatigue

After eight or nine hours on a full shift, my legs always used to sear in pain, especially after a few working days in a row. Swollen legs and feet are no fun to deal with – you’ll feel sluggish, uncomfortable, and less vital when it comes to actually doing your job (and enjoying everyday life!).

Compression socks reduce fatigue and lower your chances of developing edema or swelling by, again, stopping blood from pooling in your lower extremities. They’ll stop other fluid from accumulating, too, which can occur if you’re active all day, every day.

2. Improves Blood Flow and Circulation

With compression socks gently squeezing your legs, your blood slowly heads back up your veins towards your heart and around other areas of your body. Better blood circulation, in general, means you’re at much lower risk of developing DVT and clots (leading to pulmonary embolisms and serious illness).

Better blood flow and circulation means your vital organs feel better, too – you may even feel more refreshed and energised shortly after wearing compression stockings for a few shifts.

3. Reduces Risk of Long-Term Conditions

I’ve already mentioned DVT and clots, but another condition nurses are at risk from is varicose veins – where your veins start to malfunction and bulge. Varicose veins can be painful and unsightly, and for the most part, they’re hereditary disorders that can be made worse when blood starts to pool. Compression socks, thankfully, can keep them at bay.

Key Features and Design of Compression Socks

There are a few different features and functions of compression socks, such as graduated compression, breathable fabrics, and stretchable composition. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Graduated Compression

Graduated compression socks offer variable pressure across your legs, and typically travel up their entirety. They tend to be more supportive in your lower legs – and, as pressure is varied in areas that are most likely to benefit from the gentle squeeze, they tend to be more recommended for people who stand or sit for long periods.

2. Breathable and Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

In warm clinics and hospitals, socks can start to feel very warm and uncomfortable. Therefore, it’s worth prioritising breathable fabrics and moisture-wicking socks.

These socks help to reduce sweat and keep you from overheating even when you’re working shifts on the warmest days. Again, it’s another great way of avoiding soreness on the job.

3. Stretchable Fabrics

The best compression socks for nurses are made from extremely stretchy fabrics to allow for a comfortable yet pressured fit. You’ll find that some of the best socks in our compression ranges contain some spandex and polyester – and there’s even some with bamboo.

Who Should Wear Compression Socks?

Many people stand to benefit from wearing compression socks, including:

• Nurses and healthcare workers, who are on their feet a lot

• Athletes, who are extremely active every day

• Pregnant women, who are at risk from swelling and edema

• People with certain medical conditions, such as those who are at risk from blood clotting and varicose veins

• Service people who, again, move around frequently

• Drivers and people who use transport frequently, the opposite – they are sat down for long periods and are therefore still at risk from clotting and swelling.

Tips for Wearing and Using Compression Socks

Here’s some advice I’ve learned over the years, both through personal experience and from other nurses I’ve worked alongside.

How to wear them correctly

Ideally, you should start by turning compression socks inside out up to the heel, by gently putting your hand inside. Then, insert your foot while pulling the sock up just above your heel, and then pull up with both hands above the ankle. Then, gradually pull up again in short bursts, above your calf and up to your knee (depending on length). You should then smooth out any creases.

Wearing compression socks improperly with uneven folds or creases can lead to skin and nerve damage, and may render them ineffective. You need to ensure they’re nice and smoothly on, every time!

When and how long to wear

Personally, I recommend wearing compression socks just before your shift begins, and taking them off when it ends. That way, you get all the support you need when swelling is most at risk.

Don’t be tempted to leave them on for too long when you get home – you will need to let your legs rest, and you will get the most benefit from them when you purely wear them at work! 

Where to Buy Compression Socks and What to Look For

At Medshop, we’ve brought together fantastic compression sock ranges from brands such as Cherokee and Prestige, both of whom we (and our customers) trust day in, day out. 

Key factors to look for when browsing our online store include:

• Length: You may need compression socks to cover your calves if you suffer with varicose veins, for example, or you may prefer full pantyhose if you struggle with all-around fatigue in your legs and feet.

• Level of compression: This is extremely important – compression socks are measured in millimetres of mercury, or mmHg. The higher the mmHg rating, the more pressure you will experience. If you’re unsure of what level of pressure to choose, it’s wise to speak with your own doctor or nurse.

• Sizing: Of course, it pays to measure yourself carefully before you buy. Take shoe and leg measurements, for example, and choose a pair that closely match.

• Fabrics and quality: You may have a favourite fabric or blend, but regardless, always make sure to prioritise quality when it comes to your health. We offer compression socks at competitive prices – there’s no need to settle for cheaply-made socks.

Customer Experiences and Testimonials

Here are some testimonials from healthcare professionals who are currently enjoying the benefits of compression socks from our collections.

“I have quite muscly calves for a lady so normal compression socks dig in. These are a great fit while also being a roomy but not too long fit in the foot area (woman’s size 9). My legs feel so much better at the end of the day when I wear them.”

Dannielle H., Prestige Large Calf Compression Socks

“I ordered these and they are absolutely amazing. Relatively easy to get on, very comfortable and they completely kept the fluid out of my legs on most days other than the very longest ones like nine hours driving. Even then the swelling was greatly reduced. I’ve just ordered four more pairs. Highly recommended”

Sue, Cherokee Compression Support Socks for Women

“Since wearing these compression socks I no longer suffer sore legs after working on my feet all day. Should have bought them sooner!”

Athanasia R., Prestige 30cm Premium Knit Compression Socks

Conclusion

No matter where you are in your nursing journey, you can always use a little extra support. With the right pair of compression socks, you can easily avoid tired legs and feet, and even stave off painful conditions for years to come.

Be sure to explore our complete range and find a pair that suit your tastes and give you the comfort you need on your next long shift.

Sources

Cherokee. (n.d.). Cherokee Compression Support Socks for Women. In Medshop Australia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/products/cherokee-compression-support-socks-for-womenMedica

l, P. (n.d.). Prestige 30cm Premium Knit Compression Socks. In Medshop Australia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/products/prestige-long-compression-socks

Mota, G. R., Simim, M. A. de M., Santos, I. A. D., Jeffer Eidi Sasaki, & Marocolo, M. (2020). Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings on Exercise Performance and Associated Indicators: A Systematic Review. In Open access journal of sports medicine (Vol. 11, pp. 29–42). Open access journal of sports medicine. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S198809

Nursing Compression Socks. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/collections/nursing-compression-socks

Prestige Large Calf Compression Socks. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/products/prestige-large-calf-compression-socks

What Shoes Look Best with Scrubs? (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/blogs/news/what-shoes-look-best-with-scrubs