The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the visibility of nursing professionals and prompted numerous companies to establish special appreciation programs, discounts, and freebies for healthcare workers. These initiatives, often concentrated around National Nurses Week (May 6–12), provided tangible benefits ranging from free food and beverages to educational resources and personal protective equipment. While many of these offers were specifically tied to the height of the pandemic or specific dates in 2020 and 2021, they represent a broad category of corporate appreciation efforts available to nurses and frontline staff.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Several food and beverage companies offered free items to nurses during Nurses Week, often requiring proof of employment such as a badge or ID.
- Chipotle: Chipotle offered free burritos to nurses described as "hard-working, extra-shift-taking lifesavers." This offer was available during the appreciation period.
- Dunkin’: Dunkin' provided nurses with a free medium hot or iced coffee. In 2021, this offer extended to healthcare workers who showed their ID on May 6.
- Amazon Books: Amazon offered four free medical drama books for Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, and the free Kindle app. Additionally, "All Nurses (anyone with Nurse in their job title)" could get one free 6-pack of Classic cookies with any in-store purchase or one free Classic cookie with no purchase required during the week.
- BIGGBY COFFEE: On May 6, BIGGBY COFFEE offered nurses a free 16 oz beverage of their choice and a free retractable badge clip.
- Zaxby's: On May 6, Zaxby's offered nurses a Buy One Get One (BOGO) Big Zax Snak Meal.
- Cinnabon: Cinnabon provided a free classic roll to nurses.
- Outback: Outback offered a 10% discount.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Retailers provided discounts on apparel, footwear, and other goods to support nurses.
- ASICS Shoes: ASICS offered nurses a discount of 40% off all full-priced products in their online store.
- Crocs: Crocs offered free shoes to nurses.
- Kizik: Kizik Shoes donated 1,000 free pairs of hands-free shoes to nurses and doctors leading the fight against COVID-19. To request a free pair, individuals were asked to fill out a form on the company's webpage. It was noted that the form closed on April 24 at 11:59 PM MT, and selected recipients would be contacted by May 1.
- JINS Eyewear: Healthcare workers had a chance to win a free pair of JINS Eyewear glasses by entering their details. Due to an overwhelming response, the company transitioned to choosing 5 people per day for the freebie.
- Nursemates: Nurses could sign up to get 15% off purchases, including masks.
- Puffy: Puffy offered an "extra special discount" of $375 off any Puffy mattress and 2 free pillows.
Educational and Training Resources
A significant portion of the freebies focused on professional development and safety training, particularly regarding COVID-19 protocols.
- American Nurses Association (ANA): The ANA offered a free COVID-19 training course titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic."
- IntelyCare: IntelyCare, a workforce management solution, launched a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification program for nursing professionals. Upon completion, participants received one free contact hour.
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: This organization provided a free online course, "Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources," available 24/7, featuring information needed to care for patients with COVID-19.
- Osmosis: Osmosis developed several free resources, including a COVID-19 course for health professionals eligible for 2 CME credits, free clinical skill videos, and free events such as meditation and yoga sessions.
- Orbit CME: Healthcare workers could receive a $100 credit for Orbit CME.
Health, Safety, and Household Goods
Companies also distributed essential goods, such as masks and sanitizers, and offered services to assist healthcare workers.
- Masks and PPE:
- DHAVNI: Requested a free mask.
- Preppi: Donating N95 masks to healthcare workers in need.
- Masks by Decor8 Interiors: Decor8 Interiors Management offered free masks. However, due to overwhelming demand, the shipping date for freebie masks was approximately 9 weeks out from the date of request.
- Print For the Cure: Provided face shields, mask straps, and door openers.
- Other Services:
- Caesars Rewards: Offered nurses a 35% discount on hotel reservations.
- Rental Cars: Hertz Cars offered a free rental car for an entire month for those working in NYC (application required).
- LinkBuildingHQ: Offered a 15% discount on marketing services for frontline workers using coupon code Covid15-LBUS.
- Cloves: Nurses could share their story for a chance to win a pair of Cloves.
Promotional Contests and Nominations
Several brands utilized contest formats to distribute prizes.
- Knack: Knack allowed individuals to nominate their favorite nurse to win a "Knack Pack" in honor of Nurses Week. The company selected one winner per day.
- FJOLK: FJOLK offered a free pair of shoes from the FJOLK community. Interested parties were instructed to email [email protected].
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a widespread response from the corporate sector to recognize nursing professionals through freebies, discounts, and educational resources. While many specific time-sensitive offers—such as the Kizik shoe donation or the Hertz rental car program—have expired or reached their deal limits, the data highlights a recurring pattern of appreciation during National Nurses Week. Nurses seeking current offers should look for similar initiatives from food and beverage chains, apparel retailers, and educational platforms during the month of May, while verifying active status through official brand channels.