National Nurses Week is an annual observance that runs from May 6th to May 12th, concluding on Florence Nightingale's birthday. During this period, businesses across the United States frequently offer special promotions to recognize the contributions of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. In 2019, a variety of restaurants, retailers, and service providers extended complimentary items and discounts to nurses who presented valid identification.
Restaurant and Food Offers
Several food and beverage chains participated in National Nurses Week promotions in 2019, offering free meals, snacks, and beverages to nurses. The availability of these offers often depended on location and specific participation by individual franchises.
Cinnabon Cinnabon partnered with the DAISY Foundation to provide a guaranteed freebie for nurses during the week. Nurses presenting a valid healthcare ID badge at participating locations could select a complimentary MiniBon Roll or a 4-count package of BonBites. This offer was confirmed for the 2019 celebration.
Applebee's Applebee's historically offered promotions during Nurses Week, including free appetizers for nurses showing a valid work badge. However, the specific offers varied by location. Nurses were advised to call their local establishment at 888-592-7753 to verify the specific promotion available at their nearest location.
Buca di Beppo Buca di Beppo offered a complimentary meal to nurses during Nurses Week 2019. To redeem this offer, nurses were required to bring their nurse ID to participating locations.
Dunkin' Dunkin' provided a free medium hot or iced coffee to nurses on National Nurses Day, which falls on May 6th. This offer did not require a purchase and was available at participating locations.
Chipotle Chipotle announced a burrito giveaway for "healthcare heroes," including nurses. The restaurant chain planned to distribute 250,000 codes for free burritos to nurses, medical providers, and hospital providers. Sign-ups for this promotion began on April 29th via the Chipotle giving website.
Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings offered a 20% discount on food items for nurses who dined in or ordered meals for takeout. This discount was available to nurses presenting a valid ID.
Mod Pizza Mod Pizza offered a buy-one, get-one (BOGO) deal on MOD-size pizzas or salads during Nurses Week. Nurses were eligible for this promotion by presenting valid identification.
Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies provided a free classic cookie to nurses with a valid ID throughout the week.
Sonny's BBQ In previous years, Sonny's BBQ offered free BBQ sandwiches to nurses on select days during Nurses Week. Specific details for the current year were available on their website.
Zaxby's Zaxby's offered BOGO deals for nurses through their mobile app during Nurses Week in prior years. Nurses were encouraged to check the app for the current year's offers.
PDQ PDQ offered a 50% discount on the bill for nurses on Tuesday, May 9th, with a valid ID.
Einstein Bros Bagels On Thursday, May 11th, nurses in scrubs or with a valid ID received a free Espresso Buzz bagel and shmear.
Outback Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse provided a 10% off deal for nurses with a valid medical ID.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Potbelly offered a free cookie or regular-sized drink with the purchase of an entrée through May 12th.
Texas De Brazil Texas De Brazil offered a 15% discount on dine-in dinner or lunch for up to four people.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food and beverage, various retailers and service providers offered discounts to nurses during 2019.
Amazon Amazon offered free Kindle nursing books in honor of Nurse Week. Nurses could download available titles during this period.
New York & Company New York & Company offered a 15% discount on all purchases for nurses who showed their ID at checkout. This discount was available year-round.
Sleep Number Sleep Number offered a 35% discount on purchases for nurses who provided proof of employment. This deal was available year-round.
Walt Disney World Hotels The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort offered special room rates to nurses with valid IDs. Rates could be as low as $139 per night, depending on availability. This deal was available year-round.
Verizon Verizon offered an ongoing 'Those Who Serve' unlimited pricing plan. New or existing customers could sign up for wireless unlimited plans starting as low as $30 per month per line for four lines, and Fios 200Mbps internet starting at $34.99 per month.
Caesars Rewards Caesars Rewards partnered with ID.me to provide year-round discounts of up to 35% off on hotel reservations for nurses who verify their identity through ID.me.
Thrive Market Thrive Market offered a free annual membership to nurses. Eligibility was verified through ID.me, granting access to their online catalog of products.
AllHeart AllHeart offered up to 40% off scrubs and scrub accessories during Nurses Week. This deal included brands such as Cherokee, MedCouture, and Heartsoul.
Care+Wear Care+Wear ran exclusive discounts for healthcare workers during Nurses Week 2025, specifically for new sets of scrubs.
Dickies Dickies historically offered 20% discounts on scrubs during Nurses Week. The company offers work uniforms in various styles and colors.
Calvin Klein Calvin Klein offered style options for nurses, though specific discount details were not provided in the source data.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
To redeem most offers during National Nurses Week, nurses were generally required to present a valid form of identification. Acceptable identification typically included a healthcare ID badge, employee badge, or scrubs. Some promotions required verification through third-party services such as ID.me to confirm employment status.
Participation in specific offers, such as the Chipotle burrito giveaway, often required signing up through a dedicated website. For restaurant offers, it was recommended to call individual locations to confirm participation, as franchise policies could vary.
Conclusion
National Nurses Week 2019 featured a wide array of freebies and discounts from restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Offers ranged from complimentary food items like cinnamon rolls and cookies to significant discounts on retail purchases and travel accommodations. Nurses were generally required to present valid identification to access these benefits, and some offers required advance registration or verification. While many offers were specific to the 2019 period, some year-round discounts remained available to healthcare professionals.
Sources
- AMN Healthcare: 14 Nurse's Week Freebies RNs Don't Want to Miss
- People: Everywhere Nurses Can Get Free Food and Discounts for National Nurse’s Week
- ABC30: Know a nurse? Celebrate National Nurses Week with these discounts and freebies
- IntelyCare: 40 Nurses Week Freebies, Discounts, and Deals
- Majestic Care: Nurses Week Discounts and Freebies
- PRN Health Services: Nurses Week 2024 Discounts Freebies and More