National Nurses Week in 2025, observed from May 6 to May 12, serves as a focal point for appreciation offers across the United States. Businesses and organizations frequently extend special deals, free products, and discounted services to acknowledge the contributions of nurses, healthcare professionals, and first responders. Beyond the specific dates of Nurses Week, many brands maintain year-round verification programs to provide ongoing benefits to medical personnel. The following guide details the specific offers, eligibility requirements, and redemption methods available based on current promotional data.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several major restaurant chains and food companies participate in Nurses Week by offering complimentary items or significant discounts. These offers typically require proof of employment or professional status.
- Applebee’s: In previous years and continuing into 2025, Applebee’s has offered a free appetizer to nurses who present a valid work badge during Nurses Week. According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the 2025 offer is valid through May 10, 2025, and requires the purchase of an entrée at participating locations owned and operated by the Flynn Group.
- Chipotle: Chipotle is offering a chance to win a free e-card with a promo code for an entrée. Eligible individuals must enter their information; the promotion ends on May 12, 2025.
- Insomnia Cookies: Through May 11, 2025, healthcare workers can show a valid ID to receive a buy-one-get-one-free offer on classic cookies.
- Mod Pizza: Located workers can show a valid work ID between May 5 and May 8 to enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free deal on MOD-size pizzas or salads.
- Mountain Mike’s Pizza: This pizza chain is offering a 15% discount on all pizzas using the code “APPRECIATE25” from May 6 through May 9.
- Outback Steakhouse: A 10% discount is available on the entire check for those presenting a valid medical ID.
- Awake Caffeinated Chocolate: This brand offers a 15% discount after status verification through ID.me.
- Free Rein Coffee Company: Similar to Awake, Free Rein Coffee provides a 20% discount via ID.me verification.
- Purity Coffee: Healthcare professionals can receive a 30% discount on this coffee brand.
- Factor Meals: New customers can receive 55% off their first box and free shipping, with a subsequent 15% discount available for the following year, verified through ID.me.
- Home Chef: Signing up for ID.me verification grants 50% off the first box and 10% off ongoing boxes.
- Sweetgreen: While not a direct individual freebie, Sweetgreen has established "outposts" at various hospitals, installing mobile refrigerators stocked with free salads and bowls for hospital staff. Hospitals can submit a request to have an outpost installed.
Apparel and Footwear
Comfort and utility are key themes in apparel offers, particularly for those working long shifts.
- Crocs: Crocs has been noted for donating 10,000 shoes daily to healthcare workers. Claims are made via the Crocs website by 12:00 p.m. MT while supplies last. A secondary report notes a daily limit requiring users to "stand in line" to claim a pair.
- FIGS: FIGS is actively donating scrubs to hospitals in need, specifically targeting those hit hardest by the virus. The company plans to donate 30,000 scrubs over two months. Hospitals can fill out a request form to receive these donations. FIGS is also assembling care packages containing items such as coffee and childcare vouchers.
- Adidas: Healthcare professionals, first responders, and military members receive 40% off their purchase. Verification is required through ID.me.
- Asics: Medical professionals and first responders can receive 60% off any full-priced product. This requires creating an Asics account and using a professional email address.
- Allbirds: Allbirds has offered to donate a pair of shoes to healthcare workers. To claim a pair while supplies last, interested parties were instructed to email [email protected].
Wellness and Mental Health
Recognizing the mental and physical toll of healthcare work, several organizations offer wellness resources.
- Headspace: The meditation and wellness platform offers free access to its resources for all healthcare professionals in the US. To redeem, users must verify their National Provider Identifier (NPI) and email address on the Headspace website.
- UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare offers rewards programs where members can earn rewards for reaching activity and health goals. They also offer "Renew Active," a program focused on mind and body activity.
- Coaches4Good: This organization offers free 30-minute life coaching sessions designed to help individuals "get ready for the next day."
Services and Retail Discounts
Various service providers and retailers offer discounts on goods and essential services.
- AAA: AAA is offering free Roadside Assistance services to healthcare workers. To access this, workers must call 1-800-400-4222 during a roadside emergency. Availability may vary by state.
- AT&T: AT&T is providing three free months of phone service to eligible individuals.
- Dollar General: A 10% discount is available for healthcare workers, first responders, and activated Guardsmen.
- chiliPAD: Healthcare workers were eligible to receive a new chiliPAD, a temperature-controlled mattress pad. This offer was valid through May 31, while supplies lasted.
- Divvy Bikeshare: In Chicago, eligible first responders and healthcare workers could sign up through their employer for a free Divvy bikeshare membership. This offer included unlimited 45-minute trips on classic bikes and was valid through April 30.
- Airbnb: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb waived fees for healthcare providers, relief workers, and first responders requiring housing. Additionally, hosts offering their spaces to COVID-19 responders did not have to pay host fees.
Verification and Eligibility
Accessing these offers generally requires verification of professional status. The most common method mentioned in the provided data is ID.me, a secure identity verification service used by brands like Adidas, Asics, Awake Caffeinated Chocolate, Factor Meals, Free Rein Coffee, and Home Chef.
Other verification methods include: * Presenting a valid work badge or medical ID (e.g., Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse). * Using a professional email address (e.g., Asics). * Providing a National Provider Identifier (NPI) (e.g., Headspace). * Filling out specific request forms for institutional donations (e.g., FIGS, Sweetgreen).
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies and discounts for healthcare professionals is extensive, ranging from immediate gratification like free food and coffee to substantial savings on apparel, wellness subscriptions, and essential services. While many of the most attractive offers are tied to the National Nurses Week period in May, year-round programs verified through services like ID.me ensure that healthcare workers can access benefits throughout the year. Consumers are advised to check specific brand websites and the AACN resource list for the most current terms, availability, and expiration dates, as offers are subject to change.