The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the healthcare sector, highlighting the critical role of nurses and other frontline workers. In response, numerous companies across the United States launched initiatives to express gratitude and provide tangible support. These efforts ranged from complimentary food and beverages to significant discounts on essential goods and services. This article details the various freebies and promotional offers made available to nurses during the pandemic and National Nurses Week, based on information compiled from multiple sources.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of the appreciation efforts focused on providing sustenance and small comforts to healthcare workers. Several national food and beverage chains offered free products to nurses, often requiring proof of employment or identification.
Dunkin': Throughout the Nurses Week period, Dunkin' showed its support by offering a free medium hot or iced coffee to nurses and healthcare workers who presented their ID at participating locations. This offer was noted as being available on May 6th and potentially throughout the week. One source also mentioned a free doughnut alongside the coffee on Wednesday during Nurses Week. Another source indicated a recurring offer of an $2 iced coffee every Monday.
Chipotle: To facilitate access for busy healthcare professionals, Chipotle implemented a digital registration system. Nurses and healthcare workers could register through a specific Chipotle giving portal to receive a code for a free entree. This initiative was designed to honor the hard work and extra shifts taken by lifesavers in the healthcare field.
Starbucks: Starbucks extended its gratitude to frontline responders over multiple periods. During the initial stages of the pandemic (through May 3, 2020), the company offered a free tall hot, iced, or brewed coffee to first responders, including nurses, physicians, paramedics, and hospital staff. Later, in December 2020, Starbucks expanded this offer for the entire month, providing a free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) to nurses and a broad range of other frontline workers. Eligibility for the December offer extended to doctors, public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, law enforcement, dentists, mental health workers, hospital staff (including janitorial and security personnel), military on active duty, contact tracers, researchers, and transportation staff.
Krispy Kreme: Through May 11, 2020, Krispy Kreme ran a weekly promotion for healthcare workers. By showing their badge at participating stores, they could receive a free dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts every Monday.
Mrs. Fields Cookies: A specific offer for nurses was noted, though the source material containing this information was truncated and did not provide full details on the nature of the freebie or redemption process.
Circle K: This chain offered free coffee, tea, and Polar Pops to healthcare workers, first responders, and their frontline store employees.
Steak 'n Shake: Healthcare providers could get free fries at Steak 'n Shake drive-thru locations. The offer was also extended to first responders and customers, with the primary benefit for healthcare workers being the free fries.
O'Charley's: To provide a discount, O'Charley's offered 25% off for first responders and healthcare workers.
Snickers: In a direct-to-consumer initiative, Snickers offered to send essential workers a coupon for a free Snickers bar, which could be redeemed at Walmart.
Retail, Apparel, and Lifestyle Discounts
Beyond food, companies in the retail and lifestyle sectors offered substantial discounts and free products to help nurses save on personal and professional expenses.
Crocs: As a major giveaway, Crocs launched a program to distribute one million pairs of shoes to healthcare workers. The process was managed online, with a queue system set up daily at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on the Crocs website, allowing individuals in the healthcare field to request their free pair.
Amazon: During National Nurses Week, Amazon provided free digital content. In 2021, the company offered four free medical drama books for nurses to read on Kindle devices, Fire tablets, or the free Kindle app.
ASICS Shoes: ASICS showed its support with a significant discount, offering nurses 40% off all full-priced products in their online store.
Puffy Mattresses: Recognizing the importance of rest for healthcare workers, Puffy offered an extra special discount of $375 off any Puffy mattress and two free pillows.
Cheryl’s: Nurses could get 15% off sitewide with the code TAKE15, a promotion valid through December 31.
Cinnabon: Through a partnership with The DAISY Foundation, Cinnabon offered nurses a free cinnamon roll at participating locations throughout Nurses Week.
Caesars Rewards: For nurses needing travel accommodations, Caesars Rewards offered a 35% discount on hotel reservations.
Rental Cars: One source mentioned rental car discounts, but did not provide specific details or company names.
Healthcare and Professional Support Offers
Several organizations focused on providing resources and products directly related to the healthcare profession, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and professional development opportunities.
DHAVNI: This organization provided a way for healthcare workers to request a free mask.
Preppi: Preppi was noted for donating N95 masks to healthcare workers in need.
FJOLK: The FJOLK community offered a program where healthcare workers could receive a free pair of shoes by emailing [email protected].
Nursemates: This company offered a sign-up opportunity to receive 15% off purchases, which included masks.
Intelycare: Intelycare provided a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification for nursing professionals. A key benefit was that upon completion of the training, participants would also receive one free contact hour.
American Nurses Association (ANA): The ANA hosted a free 68-minute webinar for Registered Nurses (RNs) titled “Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients During this COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Print For the Cure: This organization was involved in providing essential items such as face shields, mask straps, and door openers.
Cloves: There was an opportunity for healthcare workers to share their stories for a chance to win a pair of Cloves.
Orbit CME: A $100 credit for Orbit CME was made available.
Professional Services Discounts
In addition to tangible goods, some companies offered discounts on professional services to support the broader needs of healthcare workers.
- LinkBuildingHQ: Acknowledging the efforts of frontline workers, this company offered a 15% discount on marketing services for their online presence. The discount was accessible using the coupon code
Covid15-LBUS.
Conclusion
The collective response from companies during the COVID-19 pandemic and National Nurses Week demonstrated a widespread and appreciative effort to support the nursing community. The offers detailed in this article, sourced from various online publications, illustrate a diverse range of support, from daily essentials like coffee and food to professional apparel, health-related products, and significant service discounts. These initiatives served as a tangible expression of gratitude for the sacrifices and dedication of nurses on the front lines.