The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant wave of support for frontline healthcare workers, with numerous companies and organizations offering free products, services, and educational resources. These initiatives aimed to provide practical assistance and recognition to nurses and medical professionals facing unprecedented challenges. The available offers ranged from personal protective equipment and wellness apps to professional development courses and retail discounts. Many of these programs were launched specifically in response to the crisis, with some extending support beyond the immediate pandemic peak. It is important to note that while some of these offers were available during the height of the pandemic, others may have been time-sensitive or subject to availability limits. Consumers should verify current status directly with the providers, as many "deal ended" or "deal limit reached" notations appear in the source material. The following summary categorizes the types of support available, based strictly on the information provided in the source documents.
Free Training and Educational Resources
A variety of free training and educational modules were made available to nurses and healthcare professionals to support their work during the pandemic. IntelyCare, a workforce management solution for post-acute facilities, launched a free COVID-19 training certification program for nursing professionals, offering one free contact hour upon completion. The American Nurses Association provided a free training titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic." The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offered a free online course, "Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources," available 24/7 and featuring the latest information for caring for COVID-19 patients. Osmosis developed a free COVID-19 course for health professionals, eligible for 2 CME credits, along with free clinical skill videos and events such as meditation and yoga sessions. Vohra Wound Care Certification provided a free education module, "Acute & Chronic Wounds," for nurses on the front lines, with a promo code available for a discount on full certification. Ten Percent Happier offered free access to its meditation app for healthcare, grocery, and food delivery workers. Speeko provided free app access through 2020 for nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, along with a free list of COVID-19 communication resources. Supporti offered healthcare workers a free one-month subscription to its accountability partner app, with users matched one-on-one for daily support.
Free Products and Services
Several companies offered free products and services to nurses and healthcare workers. Hertz Cars provided a free rental car for an entire month to those working in NYC, though the deal limit was noted as reached. JINS Eyewear offered healthcare workers a chance to enter for a free pair of glasses, with daily winners selected due to overwhelming response. Kizik Shoes donated 1,000 free pairs of hands-free shoes to nurses and doctors, though the deal ended and the request form closed on April 24. Masks by Decor8 Interiors offered free masks, with a shipping date of about 9 weeks from the request date due to high demand. TB12, Tom Brady’s fitness brand, offered a free virtual performance and recovery coaching session to healthcare members fighting COVID-19. Verima provided a free bottle of CBD lotion to nurses and healthcare professionals, with daily limits and registration required at 12pm ET. Spin Scooters offered free 30-minute scooter rides and helmets to frontline healthcare workers through June 30. Marriott offered free hotel accommodations in New York and Newark, NJ, for healthcare workers, with the American College of Emergency Physicians and Emergency Nurses Association assisting in matching doctors and nurses with rooms. OYO Hotels offered free hotel room stays in the U.S. to nurses, doctors, and medical first responders, requiring a valid medical ID and a phone call with a specific code. Red Roof Inn donated a limited number of rooms to first responders through May 31 and offered a 20% discount to first responders. Zappos selected one winner per day through May 11 to receive a $250 gift card, with nominations accepted for essential worker heroes.
Discounts on Apparel, Goods, and Services
Discounts were also widely available for apparel and other goods. Adidas offered a 40% discount to nurses, medical professionals, first responders, and military personnel, with verification through ID.me. Asics had a deal that ended, but details were not specified. 4Ears offered healthcare workers a 30% discount on brandable mask buttons from BibBoards using the code THANKYOU30.
Nurses Week Freebies
In addition to pandemic-specific offers, some companies provided freebies during Nurses Week. Dunkin Donuts offered a free medium hot or iced coffee on May 6 with no purchase necessary. Chipotle offered a chance to win a free entree e-card from May 6-12. Amazon provided free Kindle nursing books. MOD Pizza offered a buy-one-get-one pizza or salad with valid ID and a 20% discount with code NURSE25. Insomnia Cookies had a Nurses Week promo. Scooter’s offered a free drink of any size with a Nurse ID. Chick-fil-A previously offered a free chicken sandwich with valid Nurse ID. Cinnabon offered a free Classic cinnamon roll or Minibon roll from May 6-12.
Conclusion
The source material documents a range of freebies and discounts available to nurses and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and Nurses Week. These offers included free training certifications, wellness apps, personal protective equipment, retail products, hotel accommodations, transportation, and food and beverage discounts. Many of these offers were time-sensitive or subject to availability, with some marked as ended or limit reached. Eligibility generally required proof of healthcare employment, such as a medical ID or credential. Consumers are advised to verify the current status of any offers directly with the providers, as the information reflects a specific period during the pandemic.