Nurses in Columbus, Ohio, can access a variety of freebies and discounts during Nurse Appreciation Week. These offers are provided by national brands and local businesses to recognize the contributions of nursing professionals. Most promotions require nurses to present a valid professional ID or badge to redeem the offers. The availability of these deals is often tied to the official Nurse Appreciation Week, which is observed annually from May 6 to May 12.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several food and beverage chains offer specific promotions for nurses during the appreciation period.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme offers a free original glazed doughnut to teachers and nurses on a specific Wednesday during the appreciation period. To receive the doughnut, nurses are required to present their professional badges.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies provides a free classic cookie to nurses who visit in-store between May 6 and May 12. No purchase is required to receive this freebie. Additionally, the brand runs a separate giveaway during this period where five nurses or teachers have the chance to win a $250 cookie catering package. Winners are asked to verify their profession.
McAlister’s Deli
Nurses can receive a free tea at participating McAlister’s Deli locations by presenting a valid ID. The free tea includes big sweet tea, unsweet tea, half-sweet and half-unsweet tea, or a cup of half-lemonade and half-tea. Flavor shots are not included in this offer.
Potbelly
During National Nurses Week, Potbelly offers a free cookie or a regular-size fountain drink to nurses. This offer is available to nurses who show an ID at the restaurant.
Smoothie King
Smoothie King offers a $2 discount on orders for rewards members, including nurses, from May 6 to May 7. This promotion can be used an unlimited number of times during the two-day period by using the code THANKS2024.
Dunkin'
Dunkin' offers a free beverage to nurses during Nurse Appreciation Week. Nurses need to show an ID to receive the freebie.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Retailers in Columbus provide discounts on various products, ranging from shoes to clothing.
Skechers and Nike
Nurses are eligible for a 10 percent discount on shoes from both Skechers and Nike. This offer requires the presentation of a professional badge.
Staples
Teachers receive a 20 percent discount on in-store purchases at Staples. While this specific offer is for teachers, other appreciation week promotions may be available for nurses at different retailers.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings offers a 20 percent discount to nurses, teachers, and staff throughout the appreciation week. Professional badges are required to redeem this discount.
Clothes Mentor
Clothes Mentor offers a 20 percent discount to nurses and teachers during their appreciation week (May 2-6). The discount applies to in-store purchases and requires showing a nurse, daycare, or teacher badge or ID at checkout. This offer excludes clearance and designer items and cannot be combined with other discounts.
Health and Wellness Offers
Some brands provide discounts on health-related products and services.
KIND Snacks
KIND Snacks offers a 15 percent discount on sitewide orders for nurses. To access this discount, nurses must verify their identity through ID.me at checkout. This offer is available year-round.
Crocs and FIGS
Crocs has previously partnered with scrubs-maker FIGS to offer a chance to win free Crocs and free scrubs to healthcare workers. This promotion was conducted through a special drawing during Nurse Appreciation Week (May 6-12). Entries were open for a chance to win, and interested parties could register to be notified when the drawing opened.
General Business Discounts
Several businesses in Columbus extend general discounts to honor nurses and teachers.
Krispy Kreme (General Offer)
In addition to the specific doughnut offer, Krispy Kreme is noted as a business offering general appreciation for nurses and teachers.
Buffalo Wild Wings (General Offer)
Buffalo Wild Wings provides a 20 percent discount to nurses, teachers, and staff throughout the week, serving as a general business discount.
Staples (General Offer)
Staples offers a 20 percent discount on in-store purchases for teachers, which is part of the broader business appreciation efforts.
Skechers and Nike (General Offer)
These brands offer a 10 percent discount on shoes for nurses, recognized as part of the business community's appreciation initiatives.
Verification and Eligibility
Most offers require proof of professional status. The common requirement is to present a professional badge or ID at the point of sale or during online verification. For online offers, such as the KIND Snacks discount, nurses must verify their identity through ID.me. For in-store offers, physical verification is standard.
Nurse Appreciation Week Dates
National Nurses Week is observed from May 6 to May 12 annually. This period marks the recognition of nursing professionals, with many businesses launching promotions to coincide with these dates. The week concludes on May 12, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
Local Columbus Activities
Beyond discounts and freebies, there are local events and activities in Columbus to honor nurses. For example, there are scheduled sweet treat stops at various OhioHealth hospitals, including OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital, OhioHealth Doctor's Hospital, and OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital. These events are part of the broader Nurses Month activities in May.