The Ingrown Toenail Journey: From Uncertainty to Clinical Confidence

When I first began my journey in foot care nursing, ingrown toenails were—without a doubt—the treatment that intimidated me the most. And to make matters worse? There were virtually no hands-on courses available to teach this essential skill. Yet, as nurses, we know this is absolutely within our scope—so why weren’t we being taught how to do it effectively?

That gap in education became my mission.

For the next few years, I immersed myself in everything I could find about ingrown toenails. I scoured textbooks, read every article I could get my hands on, and searched far and wide online. But most importantly, I listened—really listened—to my clients. They told me, in their own words, what they were experiencing. Together, we unpacked their symptoms and responses, and together, we built treatment plans that worked for them.

Of course, the road wasn’t always smooth. I made mistakes, and not every assumption was correct. But over time, I began to see patterns in how nails grew, how pressure built, and how infections started. I learned to “see” beneath the nail using tactile feedback and careful probing—because often, what we feel tells us more than what we can see.

That journey led me to develop a 5-step treatment plan and identify 7 unique presentations of ingrown toenails that I commonly see in practice.

Now, I’ve turned all of that real-world experience into a comprehensive, hands-on course designed specifically for nurses. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical, step-by-step guide designed to give you the confidence to provide this treatment effectively and safely. Pain management and infection control are front and center, just as they were when this course was born out of collaboration with my clients.

If you’re ready to elevate your skills, I invite you to explore the video and try identifying each of the five key steps. Then, head over to Josee’s Courses to learn more about enrolling.

Let’s grow your confidence—one toenail at a time.
– Josée