About Us
Supporting excellent nursing foot care, lower limb health and mobility for all Nova Scotians.
The Nova Scotia Foot Care Nurses Interest Group promotes learning, collaboration and resources for all foot care nurses. We strive to keep Nova Scotians feet comfortable, happy, healthy and mobile.
What is a Foot Care Nurse?
A Foot Care Nurse is a nurse who has a current license with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) and advanced training, knowledge, skill, ability and jusgement in nursing foot care. All nurses must adhere to Best Practice Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Ethics, and more, whether operating independently or as part of a health team or agency.
Foot Care Nurses provide treatment and care to a variety of foot and leg conditions that require both urgent care and ongoing care. Regular, preventative care can help prevent problems and/or infection, and helps to promote overall wellbeing.
The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) regulates the practice of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Nurses (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) within the province to protect and serve the public.
If you have a problem that is not resolved by speaking with your Foot Care Nurse, the NSCN is available to help. NSCN.ca or 1-833-267-6726.
Nursing Foot Care in Canada is not regulated, and therefor not all programs are the same. The Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses (CAFCN) developed National Competencies for Advanced Nursing Foot Care which may be found here. Please inquire with your Foot Care Nurse regarding their specific training and continuing education
Nursing Foot Care Includes:
- A comprehensive assessment of general health, the lower limb, feet and footwear.
- Non-invasive care at the level of the epidermis, such as trimming and/.or filing nails, reduction of thick or overgrown nails, reduction and/or removal or corns/calluses, and more.
- An emphasis on client education.
- An emphasis on measures to prevent foot-related problems that can arise due to loss of sensation, diabetes and/or poor circulation.
- Referral to and/or collaboration with other health professionals eg. MD, NP, podiatrist, and others.
- There are nurses with added skills who fit for compression stockings, provide nail bracing, or make pressure-reducing devices.
