National Nurses Week is an annual observance held from May 6th through May 12th, established to honor the contributions and dedication of nursing professionals. In 2018, various businesses and organizations participated in this recognition by offering free products, discounts, and special services to nurses. The available documentation highlights several key promotions that were active during this period, with a specific focus on food and beverage incentives, educational opportunities, and travel accommodations.
Cinnabon National Nurses Week Giveaway
Cinnabon partnered with the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation to conduct an annual National Nurses Week giveaway. In 2018, participating Cinnabon bakeries across the United States offered a choice of one free Cinnabon Classic Roll or MiniBon® Roll, or a four-count of BonBites™ to healthcare professionals. To redeem this offer, nurses were required to visit a participating bakery location and present their medical ID badge.
This promotion was part of a long-standing relationship between Cinnabon and the DAISY Foundation, which began 18 years prior to 2018. The partnership originated from a request by a young man to have Cinnabon cinnamon rolls given to his nurses as a thank you for their care during his battle with a terminal illness. By 2018, Cinnabon reported that it had given away over a million cinnamon rolls to nurses nationwide through this program. The DAISY Foundation was created to ensure nursing professionals receive recognition for the care and compassion they provide to patients.
Kristen Hartman, president of Cinnabon, stated that the work nurses perform is inspiring and noble, and that the brand is proud to partner with the DAISY Foundation to spread warmth and offer a "sweet token of appreciation" for the support nurses provide to patients and their families.
Additional Restaurant Discounts and Freebies
In addition to Cinnabon, several other dining establishments offered deals during National Nurses Week 2018.
PDQ
PDQ offered a discounted meal for nurses and teachers on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The promotion provided 50 percent off the entire meal all day. Participation required nurses to show a valid ID.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings provided a 20 percent discount on food items for nurses during National Nurses Week 2018. This discount was available for both dine-in orders and meals ordered to go.
Logan's Roadhouse
Logan's Roadhouse also offered a 20 percent discount to nurses during the observance period.
Mod Pizza
Mod Pizza offered a buy-one, get-one (BOGO) pizza deal for nurses from May 5 through May 8, 2018. Additionally, nurses were eligible to receive free add-ons to their meals.
Chipotle
Chipotle implemented a giveaway program for healthcare professionals during National Nurses Week 2018. Rather than immediate in-store redemption, the chain provided entrée e-cards to healthcare professionals who entered for a chance to win through their respective websites on May 12. Entrants were required to verify their employment status within 48 hours via a provided link to receive the free entrée e-card. Notifications regarding the e-cards were sent starting May 13. Chipotle described this initiative as their "largest free burrito giveback program in history," noting that teachers and healthcare professionals are important members of the communities they serve.
Educational and Professional Development Offers
OnCourse Learning / Nurse.com
OnCourse Learning, through Nurse.com, offered a free continuing education series for nurses focusing on the country's opioid crisis during National Nurses Week 2018. This complimentary course was funded by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson. Patrick Sheahan, President and CEO of OnCourse Learning, noted that nurses witness the damage of opioid abuse daily and that providing continuing education to clinicians can positively impact care and expand the knowledge base of nurses nationwide.
Additionally, a free webinar titled "Substance Abuse and Women" was offered, along with courses covering "Knocking Our Pain Safely With PCA" and "Medication Nonadherence: America’s Other Drug Problem."
Travel and Hospitality
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, advertised year-long discounts for nurses in 2018. Nurses could call a specific reservation number to book a special room rate. It was noted that these rates did not include mandatory resort service packaging, parking fees, or taxes, and could not be combined with other promotions or discounts. Valid employment proof was required to be shown before check-in.
Atlanta-Specific Context
While the Cinnabon promotion was valid at participating bakeries across the United States, the availability of these offers in Atlanta depended on the presence of participating locations. Cinnabon operates over 1,200 franchised locations worldwide, primarily in high-traffic venues such as shopping malls, airports, and travel plazas. As Cinnabon is headquartered in Atlanta, it is highly probable that multiple participating locations were available in the Atlanta area for the 2018 giveaway.
The documentation does not specify which of the other restaurant chains (PDQ, Buffalo Wild Wings, Logan's Roadhouse, Mod Pizza, Chipotle) had participating locations specifically in Atlanta during 2018, nor does it detail the specific addresses or availability of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort discounts for Atlanta-based nurses. However, the national nature of the chains suggests that many Atlanta-based nurses would have had access to similar offers, subject to local franchise participation.
Summary of Requirements
To access the majority of the freebies and discounts offered during National Nurses Week 2018, nurses were generally required to: * Present a valid medical or employment ID badge. * Visit participating locations, as most offers were in-store redemption only (with the exception of the Chipotle e-card entry). * Act within specific date ranges, typically May 6–12, though some deals were valid only on specific days (e.g., PDQ on May 8).
The 2018 National Nurses Week offerings demonstrated a broad appreciation for the nursing profession across the food service and education sectors, with Cinnabon maintaining a particularly significant and historic partnership with the DAISY Foundation.