National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6th to May 12th, represents a significant period for healthcare professionals to access a variety of complimentary offers, discounts, and specialized resources. The available source material provides detailed information regarding specific food and beverage promotions, retail discounts on professional apparel, and broader financial and educational resources accessible to registered nurses. These offerings are designed to acknowledge the contributions of nursing staff, though eligibility requirements and redemption methods vary significantly by provider.
The landscape of nurse-specific benefits extends beyond immediate promotional periods, encompassing year-round access to continuing education credits, mental health support services, and financial planning assistance. Verification of professional status is frequently required, often utilizing third-party identity verification platforms such as ID.me. Furthermore, while many offers are national in scope, others are subject to regional availability or specific participating franchise locations. Understanding the distinction between verified corporate initiatives and individual franchisee participation is essential for nurses seeking to utilize these benefits effectively.
Food and Beverage Promotions
During the National Nurses Week period of May 5 through May 12, 2025, numerous restaurant chains and food service providers offered specific promotions for nurses and healthcare workers. These offers generally required proof of employment, such as a valid work ID, and were often valid only at participating locations.
Pizza and Casual Dining Several pizza chains provided complimentary or discounted items. A specific promotion noted for May 7th offered free 1-topping pizzas, while a separate initiative from May 5th through 9th provided free mini pizzas for dine-in or carryout. Noodles & Company extended a catering discount of 15% off orders of $150 or more, valid through May 12th. Original ChopShop offered a 10% discount on dine-in and to-go orders from May 5th through 9th for customers flashing a badge. Potbelly provided a free cookie or fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée through May 11th, strictly for in-store redemption. Ruby Tuesday offered a free add-on Garden Bar with the promo code THANKYOU25 from May 5th through 8th.
Coffee and Beverages Scooter’s Coffee participated in the celebrations by offering a free medium drink on May 6, 2025, to nurses and healthcare workers with valid identification. This offer was limited to a specific number of "Healthcare Heroes" stickers available at each location while supplies lasted. Free Rein Coffee Company provided a 20% discount via ID.me verification, and Awake Caffeinated Chocolate offered a 15% discount following the same verification process.
Full-Service Restaurants and Specialty Foods Shake Shack offered a free Classic or LTO shake with any purchase from May 6th through 12th, limited to one per order at participating locations. Sonny’s BBQ offered a free Pork Big Deal from May 5th to May 7th (until 8 p.m. EST). Shipley Do-Nuts provided a free half dozen doughnuts for loyalty members between May 4th and 6th. Smoothie King offered 20% off in-store orders from May 6th through 8th for nurses with a work badge. Mountain Mike’s Pizza provided a 15% discount on all pizzas using the code "APPRECIATE25" from May 6th through 9th. Insomnia Cookies offered a BOGO free classic cookie with valid ID through May 11th. Outback Steakhouse offered a 10% discount on the entire check with valid medical ID. Purity Coffee offered a 30% discount on their products.
Meal Services Factor Meals and Home Chef offered substantial discounts on meal kit subscriptions. Factor Meals provided 55% off the first box and free shipping, followed by a 15% discount for the subsequent year, requiring ID.me verification. Home Chef offered 50% off the first box and 10% off ongoing boxes after signing up via ID.me.
Retail and Professional Apparel Discounts
Scrubs and workwear are significant expenses for nursing professionals. Several brands utilize National Nurses Week to offer substantial discounts on uniforms and accessories.
Scrubs Brands AllHeart offered up to 40% off scrubs and scrub accessories during Nurses Week 2025, covering brands such as Cherokee, MedCouture, and Heartsoul. Care+Wear ran exclusive discounts for healthcare workers during the same period. Dickies, known for durable work uniforms, historically offered a 20% discount on scrubs during Nurses Week, with expectations for similar offers in 2025. These discounts are typically accessed by visiting the respective brand websites.
General Retail Thrive Market offered nurses a free annual membership to their online grocery store. This required eligibility verification through ID.me to gain access to their catalog for delivery. While not a direct product sample, the removal of the membership fee constitutes a significant cost saving.
Financial and Educational Resources
Beyond immediate consumer discounts, the source material highlights resources aimed at long-term professional and financial well-being.
Continuing Education Nursing.com offers "Friday Freebies" and limited-time discounts on nursing gear, designed to support nursing students and professionals. CheapNursingCEUs is cited as a resource for affordable access to continuing education credits, offering necessary credits at a fraction of the price of traditional in-person courses. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) provides free access to CE activities, offering knowledge and tools for patient care optimization. Additionally, AACN offers certification discounts for nurses when groups of 10 or more candidates apply together.
Financial Services NIH Federal Credit Union (NIHFCU) provides specific benefits for healthcare professionals, including up to $50 in annual work-related reimbursements, low-interest personal loans, and specialized financial planning services. Wells Fargo offers lower mortgage rates, reduced loan fees, and financial coaching programs specifically designed for nurses and frontline healthcare workers.
Mental Health and Support Recognizing the high-stress nature of the profession, various low-cost or free services offer support groups, hotlines, and breathing exercises for front-line responders and nurses. These resources are available countrywide and are intended to help manage burnout and maintain mental health.
Membership and Organizational Benefits
Professional organizations provide aggregated resources and discounts for their members.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) AACN compiles lists of freebies and discounts for members. They offer an Online Communities membership for free. Group Discount Membership is available when signing up five new or renewing members to unlock discounted rates. They also provide access to Nurse Staffing Resources and Clinical Resources to enhance professional development.
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) This organization is noted for maintaining and updating a list of nurse discounts annually. This resource helps nurses find the best deals available in the market.
Verification and Access Methods
Accessing these offers often requires a verification process to confirm professional status. The most commonly cited method is the use of ID.me. This platform is used by various brands, including Thrive Market, Factor Meals, Home Chef, Awake Caffeinated Chocolate, and Free Rein Coffee Company, to verify that the applicant is a licensed nurse or healthcare worker.
For in-store offers, a valid work ID or medical ID is typically required at the point of sale. For app-based offers, such as those previously mentioned for Zaxby’s, users may need to check the specific brand’s mobile application during Nurses Week.
Geographic and Availability Considerations
It is important to note that many of the food and beverage offers are restricted to participating locations. For example, the Applebee’s offer is valid at restaurants owned and operated by the Flynn Group. The Smoothie King offer varies by local franchise. Therefore, nurses are advised to check with their local establishments to confirm participation before attempting to redeem these offers.
Additionally, the offers listed are specific to the 2025 Nurses Week period. While some brands may offer similar discounts annually, the specific terms, codes, and validity dates change. The source material explicitly notes that offers are accurate as of May 5, 2025, and are subject to change.
Conclusion
The available data indicates that National Nurses Week serves as a concentrated period for brands to offer value to nursing professionals through food discounts, retail savings, and membership benefits. The most reliable method for accessing these offers involves verifying professional status through platforms like ID.me or presenting valid work identification. While specific food promotions are limited to early May, resources regarding continuing education, financial planning, and mental health support appear to be available on a year-round basis through professional organizations and specialized service providers.