Freebies and Discounts for Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6 to May 12, commemorates the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. In 2020, this period took on heightened significance as nurses and health care workers served on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of health care workers across the United States contracted COVID-19, often due to a lack of personal protective equipment. In response, numerous organizations, businesses, and brands stepped forward to offer free goods, services, and discounts to show appreciation for these essential workers. These offers ranged from free meals and shoes to free dry cleaning, tax services, and temperature-controlled mattress pads. Many of these deals were available during National Nurses Week or throughout the pandemic, though participation often varied by location and required valid identification.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) Enterprise committed to informing and supporting nurses during the pandemic, providing resources through its COVID-19 Resource Center. The ANA encouraged nurses to sign up for the latest information, new resources, and valuable tools to navigate the crisis. Meanwhile, the National Nurses United union protested in front of the White House on April 21, 2020, calling attention to the thousands of health care workers infected due to insufficient protective gear. This backdrop of appreciation and advocacy fueled a wave of freebies and discounts aimed at alleviating some of the stress faced by frontline workers.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of freebies and discounts available to nurses and health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis and National Nurses Week 2020. It draws on verified sources to detail offers across various categories, including goods, services, self-care items, and professional development opportunities. The information is organized to help U.S. consumers, deal seekers, and health care professionals access these benefits while understanding eligibility requirements and limitations.

Goods and Services Freebies

Several businesses offered tangible goods and essential services to health care workers during the pandemic. These offers often targeted frontline workers, including nurses, and required verification of employment status. Supply limitations and time-sensitive deadlines were common, so interested individuals were advised to act quickly.

Shoes and Apparel

One of the most prominent offers came from Crocs, a comfort-focused shoe company. During National Nurses Week 2020, Crocs donated 10,000 shoes per day to health care workers. To participate, eligible individuals visited the Crocs website before 12 p.m. daily to claim a pair. This initiative aimed to provide comfortable footwear for long shifts, though supplies were limited.

Kizik Shoes also participated by donating 1,000 free pairs of hands-free shoes to nurses and doctors fighting COVID-19. Interested parties filled out a form on the Kizik webpage before the April 24 deadline at 11:59 p.m. MT. Selected recipients were contacted by May 1. However, this deal has since ended, as noted in the source data.

For apparel needs, some organizations provided free clothing items. For example, a source listed "Apparel" as a category of free or reduced-price offers for nurses and health care professionals during the pandemic. While specific details on brands or items were not provided in the chunks, the category highlights opportunities for free clothing such as socks or uniforms. Nurses were encouraged to check with local suppliers or national programs for ongoing apparel discounts.

Household and Temperature-Control Items

ChiliPAD offered health care workers a new chiliPAD, a temperature-controlled mattress pad designed to improve sleep comfort. This offer was valid through May 31, 2020, subject to supply availability. The chiliPAD system allows users to adjust bed temperature, which could be particularly beneficial for nurses dealing with irregular schedules and high-stress environments.

Dry Cleaning and Tax Services

In addition to physical goods, some businesses provided free dry cleaning and tax preparation services to health care workers. These services were part of a broader effort to support daily life needs during the pandemic. For instance, a Michigan-based list compiled by Davenport University included dry cleaning as a free service for health care workers. However, the source data does not specify the providers or eligibility details, so nurses were advised to contact local dry cleaners or tax service companies to inquire about health care worker discounts.

Roadside Assistance

AAA offered free Roadside Assistance services to health care workers during the pandemic. Eligible individuals could call 1-800-400-4222 in case of a roadside emergency. The service was not available in every state, and availability varied by location. This offer provided peace of mind for nurses commuting to and from long shifts, especially in areas with limited public transportation.

Eyewear

JINS Eyewear offered health care workers a chance to win a free pair of glasses through a giveaway. Participants entered their details on the JINS website, and due to overwhelming response, the company selected five winners per day. The offer was available while supplies lasted, and no purchase was required to enter the drawing. This initiative helped address vision care needs for workers who spent long hours on screens or in demanding environments.

Food and Beverage Offers

While the provided source data focuses more on goods and services than on food-specific freebies, National Nurses Week has historically included restaurant discounts and free meals for health care workers. The initial chunk mentions that "restaurant and other store offers range from free meals to free shoes," indicating that food-related deals were part of the appreciation efforts. However, specific brands or chains are not detailed in the sources. Nurses seeking food freebies during the pandemic were encouraged to check with local restaurants or national chains for ongoing promotions, often requiring a valid health care ID.

Self-Care and Wellness Offers

Self-care was a critical theme during the pandemic, with companies offering products and services to help nurses recharge. These included wellness courses, sleep aids, and beauty products.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Nursing CE Central provided three free nursing continuing education courses during Nurses Week 2021. These top-rated courses included: - Free Alzheimer’s Nursing Care CEU - Free Coronavirus Nursing CEU - Free Pain and Symptom Management Nursing CEU

Nurses could claim these courses by clicking a link on the Nursing CE Central website. The offer was designed to support ongoing education without cost, helping nurses maintain licensure and enhance skills during a time of high demand.

Intelycare offered a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification for nursing professionals. Upon completion, participants received one free contact hour. This training addressed pandemic-specific protocols and was available to help nurses stay current with evolving health guidelines.

Beauty and Personal Care

Beauty freebies were less prominent in the source data, but some offers fell under the "Self-Care" category. For example, a source mentioned "Self-Care" as a section for free or reduced-price offers, which could include beauty products like skincare or cosmetics. Nurses were directed to explore deals from brands supporting health care workers, though specific examples were not provided in the chunks.

Other Wellness Items

Samsung offered exclusive discounts to nurses during National Nurses Month in May 2021. Nurses and first responders could save up to 30% on smartphones, tablets, and other devices by signing up for Samsung’s First Responder Discount Program and verifying identity at checkout. While not a freebie, this discount supported connectivity and work-from-home needs.

Masks by Decor8 Interiors provided free masks to health care workers, though demand was high, leading to a shipping delay of about nine weeks from the request date. This offer was coordinated directly with Decor8 Interiors management to address the shortage of personal protective equipment.

Pet Product Freebies

The provided source data does not include any specific freebies or discounts for pet products or pet food targeted at nurses or health care workers. As such, no factual claims can be made about pet-related offers in this context. Consumers interested in pet freebies should consult dedicated pet brand websites or deal aggregators for verified programs.

Baby Care Freebies

Similarly, the source material lacks information on baby care freebies, such as diapers, formula, or baby food samples, for nurses during the pandemic. This category may have been covered by other programs, but without source verification, it cannot be included. Parents in the health care field are advised to check with brands like Pampers or Enfamil for general sample programs, though these are not pandemic-specific.

Health and Household Goods

Health-related freebies were more prevalent, focusing on pandemic safety and wellness.

Protective Equipment and Training

As mentioned, masks were available through Decor8 Interiors, though with significant delays due to demand. Additionally, Intelycare’s free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification provided health education relevant to the crisis.

For household goods, chiliPAD’s temperature-controlled mattress pad served as a wellness item that could improve home comfort. Other general household discounts, such as free dry cleaning, were noted but not detailed.

Discount Programs

Samsung’s First Responder Discount Program extended to nurses, offering savings on electronics that could be used for household management, such as tablets for scheduling or smartphones for communication.

Eligibility and Redemption Processes

Most offers required verification of status as a health care worker or nurse. Acceptable forms of identification typically included a valid health care ID badge, professional license, or employment verification from a hospital or clinic. Some deals, like Crocs’ shoe donation, were available to all health care workers without complex verification, while others, like Samsung’s discounts, required enrollment in a specific program and identity confirmation at checkout.

Offers often had limitations: - Supply Constraints: Many freebies, such as shoes from Kizik or masks from Decor8 Interiors, were available only while supplies lasted or for a limited number of participants. - Geographic Restrictions: AAA’s Roadside Assistance was not available in every state, and restaurant offers varied by location. - Time Limits: Deadlines were common, as seen with Kizik’s April 24 cutoff or chiliPAD’s May 31 end date. - Participation Variability: The sources emphasize that participation and offers can vary by location, so nurses should check with local providers or official brand websites for current availability.

To redeem offers, nurses typically visited the brand’s official website or called a dedicated hotline (e.g., AAA’s 1-800 number). For giveaways like JINS Eyewear, entry forms required personal details but no purchase. For educational courses, direct links provided access without fees.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of nurses and health care workers, prompting a wave of appreciation through freebies and discounts. From free shoes and temperature-controlled mattress pads to roadside assistance and continuing education courses, these offers provided tangible support during a challenging time. While many deals were time-sensitive and required verification, they underscored the community’s gratitude. Nurses and health care professionals should always verify current availability through official brand channels, as offers may have expired or evolved since 2020. For ongoing support, resources like the ANA COVID-19 Resource Center remain valuable for accessing the latest information.