National Nurses Week 2018: Comprehensive Guide to Freebies, Discounts, and Promotional Offers

National Nurses Week is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to recognizing the contributions and hard work of registered nurses. Established by the American Nurses Association, the week-long celebration runs from May 6 through May 12, concluding on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. During this period in 2018, numerous businesses across the country offered special incentives, free products, and discounts to nursing professionals as a gesture of appreciation. These offers spanned various sectors, including food and beverage, retail, and professional development resources.

The availability of these offers generally required proof of eligibility, typically in the form of a valid medical ID badge or wearing professional scrubs. It is important to note that many of these promotions were valid only at participating locations, and specific terms, such as purchase requirements or expiration dates, varied by vendor. The following guide details the specific freebies and deals available during National Nurses Week 2018, based on reports from that time.

Food and Beverage Promotions

A significant portion of the 2018 Nurses Week offers centered on food and beverage discounts. These ranged from complimentary baked goods to full meal discounts, available at various restaurant chains across the country.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon was a prominent participant in Nurses Week 2018, largely due to its partnership with the DAISY Foundation, an organization that recognizes nurses. Participating Cinnabon bakeries offered nurses a choice of one free treat from May 6 through May 12, 2018. To redeem the offer, nurses were required to present a valid medical ID badge. The complimentary items included: * A Classic Cinnamon Roll * A MiniBon * A 4-count order of BonBites

PDQ

PDQ, a fast-casual restaurant chain, offered a significant discount specifically on May 8, 2018. Participating locations provided nurses (and teachers) with a 50% discount on their entire order. This offer was valid all day but required the presentation of a valid ID at the time of purchase.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Potbelly Sandwich Shop provided a value-add promotion during National Nurses Week. Nurses who presented a medical ID badge or wore their scrubs received a free fountain drink or cookie with the purchase of a sandwich or salad. This offer was limited to one per customer per transaction. Participating locations included the store in Morrisville, North Carolina, among others listed on the Potbelly website.

Texas Steakhouse & Saloon

Texas Steakhouse & Saloon offered a discount on food purchases during the week. From May 7 through May 12, 2018, nurses presenting a valid nurse's badge received $5 off a purchase of $15 or more.

Einstein Bro’s Bagels

On May 11, 2018, Einstein Bro’s Bagels offered a specific daily promotion for nurses. By showing their scrubs, ID badge, or other professional evidence of their occupation, nurses could receive a free Espresso Buzz Bagel with Shmear at participating locations.

Chick-Fil-A

Reports indicated that select Chick-Fil-A locations nationwide honored nurses during the week. While specific offers varied by location, participating stores generally offered free items such as a choice of a signature chicken sandwich or a free breakfast item to nurses presenting a valid nurse ID.

Chipotle

Chipotle offered a "buy-one-get-one-free" promotion valid on June 5, 2018. Nurses could redeem this offer for burritos, bowls, salads, or orders of tacos by presenting a work ID. Although this specific redemption date fell outside the official May 6-12 window, it was marketed as part of the 2018 Nurse Appreciation Week promotions.

Mod Pizza

Mod Pizza offered a buy-one, get-one-free deal on pizzas from May 5 through May 8, 2018. In addition to the pizza offer, nurses were eligible to receive free add-ons to their meals at participating locations.

Buffalo Wild Wings and Logan’s Roadhouse

Both Buffalo Wild Wings and Logan’s Roadhouse offered a 20% discount on food items during the 2018 observance. The discount applied to dine-in orders and takeout orders placed directly at the restaurant for nurses with valid identification.

Tim Hortons and Insomnia Cookies

Tim Hortons and Insomnia Cookies were also listed among the restaurant chains offering deals during National Nurses Week. While specific offer details for 2018 were not fully elaborated in all reports, these brands were recognized as participants in the celebration.

Retail and Apparel Discounts

Beyond food service, several retailers offered discounts on merchandise, particularly focusing on professional apparel and gifts.

Scrubs and Professional Apparel

Scrubs and Beyond: This retailer offered a 20% discount on everything available on its website through May 12, 2018.
Allheart.com: An online medical clothing retailer, Allheart ran a "buy one item, get 40% off another item" sale during Nurses Week 2018.
New York & Company: This clothing retailer provided a 15% discount to nurses in-store. Unlike the limited-time offers for Nurses Week, this discount was reported to be available year-round.

Gifts and Flowers

1-800-FLOWERS: Nurses could take 15% off gifts and flowers using the coupon code RMNSV15. This offer was valid through the end of June 2018.
Fanny May: A 15% discount on fine chocolates was available using coupon code 39984, valid through July 1, 2018.
Personal Creations: This retailer offered a 15% discount on the entire online purchase for personalized mementos.

Athletic Apparel

Adidas: The athletic apparel brand ran a 30% off sale during the period. While available to the general public, it was highlighted as a potential option for nurses looking for new gear.

Travel and Hospitality Offers

Some offers extended to leisure and travel, providing nurses with opportunities for relaxation and professional development.

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resort in Florida offered special rates for nurses year-round. To access these rates, nurses were required to mention their profession when making a reservation. This offer also extended to educators, military personnel, and government workers.

Kindle Books and Educational Resources

Amazon offered free Kindle nursing books during the 2018 observance, providing accessible educational materials for professionals. Additionally, the American Nurses Association (ANA) hosted a free webinar titled "Emerging Technology and Its Impact on Nursing Practice." This webinar, held on May 9, 2018, offered participants a free Continuing Education (CE) credit and insights into adapting to new technologies in patient care.

Lippincott Nursing Center

Lippincott Nursing Center hosted a giveaway for a $50.00 gift card to Scrubs.com. Entry required participants to explain what #NurseStrong meant to them on a submission form. Participants also received a $10 off CE coupon simply for entering the contest.

Conclusion

National Nurses Week 2018 saw a wide array of businesses participating in show of appreciation for nursing professionals. The promotions ranged from immediate gratification in the form of free food and retail discounts to longer-term benefits like travel rates and educational webinars. While many offers were tied to specific dates within the May 6-12 window, others extended into the summer months. The primary requirement for redeeming these offers was valid proof of nursing status, usually a medical ID badge or professional scrubs. Consumers were advised to verify participation at specific locations, as availability varied by vendor and geography.