The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant wave of support for the nursing workforce, manifesting in various forms of free resources, educational opportunities, and tangible goods. Companies and professional organizations across the healthcare and consumer sectors mobilized to provide freebies specifically designed to assist nurses and other healthcare professionals during the crisis. These offerings ranged from essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and free mental health applications to comprehensive training certifications and virtual coaching sessions. The availability of these resources aimed to address the immediate needs of frontline workers, support their mental and physical well-being, and facilitate continued education during a period of high demand and stress.
A major component of the support came in the form of free educational content. Several organizations developed specialized training programs to help nurses navigate the complexities of the pandemic. IntelyCare, a workforce management solution for post-acute facilities, launched a free COVID-19 training certification program for nursing professionals. Upon completion of this training, participants were eligible to receive one free contact hour. The American Nurses Association (ANA) also provided a free training course titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic." Similarly, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offered a free online course titled "Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources," available 24/7 to provide nurses with the latest information required to care for COVID-19 patients.
HealthStream, a healthcare education platform, made its Coronavirus (COVID-19 Support) course available for free to all nurses for a period of 90 days. This course was designed to help nurses understand the effects of the virus and provide high-quality care. HealthStream’s training bundles included compliance, safety, clinical education, and coding courses tailored to the unique needs of healthcare professionals during the pandemic. Osmosis, another educational provider, developed a free COVID-19 course for health professionals, eligible for 2 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, along with free clinical skill videos and virtual events such as meditation and yoga sessions.
Beyond education, numerous companies offered free products and services to support the daily lives of nurses. Several initiatives focused on providing essential items like masks and shoes. DHAVNI offered free masks upon request, while Preppi donated N95 masks to healthcare workers in need. FJOLK provided free pairs of shoes to healthcare workers via email request. For transportation needs, Hertz Cars offered a free rental car for one month to nurses working in New York City, though this deal was noted as having reached its limit. Kizik Shoes donated 1,000 pairs of hands-free shoes to nurses and doctors, though the request form for this offer closed on April 24.
Mental health and personal development were also key areas of support. Ten Percent Happier granted free access to its meditation app for healthcare, grocery, and food delivery workers. Speeko offered free access to its communication coaching app for nurses and physicians through the end of 2020. Supporti, an accountability partner app, provided healthcare workers with a free one-month subscription. Additionally, TB12, Tom Brady’s fitness brand, offered a free virtual performance and recovery coaching session to healthcare members fighting the pandemic.
Other miscellaneous offers included discounts on services and opportunities to win products. LinkBuildingHQ offered a 15% discount on marketing services for frontline workers. Nursemates provided a 15% discount on purchases, including masks. Print For the Cure provided face shields, mask straps, and door openers. JINS Eyewear held a giveaway for free glasses, selecting five people per day due to high demand. Knack ran a nomination contest for nurses to win a Knack Pack. Some offers, such as the Hertz rental car and Kizik shoes, were listed as having ended or reached their deal limits.
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide variety of freebies and support programs became available to nurses, addressing educational, physical, and mental health needs. Organizations like IntelyCare, the American Nurses Association, and HealthStream provided critical free training certifications and resources to help nurses care for patients and protect themselves. Simultaneously, consumer brands and tech companies offered tangible goods such as masks and shoes, as well as services like free app subscriptions and virtual coaching. While many of these specific offers were time-sensitive or limited in quantity, they collectively represent a broad effort by the business community to support the nursing profession during an unprecedented global health event.