National Nurses Week 2018, observed from May 6 through May 12, serves as a designated period for businesses across the United States to express gratitude to nursing professionals. During this time, various retailers, restaurants, and service providers offer complimentary items, discounted services, and special rates to individuals working in the healthcare sector. For nurses in Florida, a variety of local and national promotions were available during this week, ranging from free food items to reduced rates on travel and retail purchases. These offers typically require proof of employment, such as a valid work identification badge, and participation often varies by specific business location.
The following guide details the freebies and discounts available to nurses in Florida during National Nurses Week 2018, based on verified reports and official announcements. It categorizes these offers by business type and outlines the specific requirements for redemption.
Food and Beverage Promotions
Several national and regional food chains offered significant deals for nurses during the 2018 celebration. These promotions ranged from full discounts on meals to complimentary baked goods and beverages.
Cinnabon
Cinnabon participated in National Nurses Week 2018 by offering a sweet treat to nursing professionals. The promotion was conducted in partnership with the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, an organization dedicated to recognizing the work of nurses. * Offer: A free Cinnabon Classic Roll, MiniBon Roll, or a four-count order of BonBites. * Eligibility: Open to all nurses. * Redemption: Nurses were required to present a valid healthcare identification badge at participating bakery locations. * Dates: The offer was valid from Sunday, May 6, through Saturday, May 12, 2018. * Availability: Participating locations included Cinnabon bakeries internationally.
PDQ
PDQ, a fast-casual restaurant chain, offered a substantial discount to both nurses and teachers during the week. * Offer: 50 percent off the entire order. * Eligibility: Nurses and teachers. * Redemption: A valid identification card was required to be presented at the time of purchase. * Dates: The discount was valid all day on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. * Availability: Participating PDQ locations. Specific locations in Florida were noted as participating in the promotion.
Chick-fil-A
While Chick-fil-A did not have a nationwide promotion for Nurses Week 2018, specific franchised locations in Florida offered deals to nursing staff. * Offer: Free eight-count nuggets or a free chicken biscuit/chicken sandwich. * Eligibility: Nurses with valid ID. * Redemption: Valid ID required. * Dates: Tuesday, May 8, 2018. * Availability: Specific locations in Florida, including the Indian River Mall restaurant and the standalone Vero Beach location, were reported to be participating. * The Indian River Mall location offered free eight-count nuggets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * The Vero Beach location offered a free chicken biscuit for breakfast or a free chicken sandwich for lunch.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza offered a discounted build-your-own pizza option for nurses in South Florida. * Offer: A Build-Your-Own pizza for $5. * Eligibility: Nurses with valid ID. * Redemption: Valid ID required. * Dates: Monday, May 7, 2018. * Availability: Five locations in South Florida, specifically including Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach.
Chipotle
Chipotle offered a buy-one-get-one free deal for nurses, though the redemption date was after the official conclusion of Nurses Week. * Offer: Buy-one-get-one free on burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos. * Eligibility: Nurses with a work ID. * Redemption: Valid work ID required. * Dates: Tuesday, June 5, 2018. * Availability: Participating Chipotle locations nationwide.
Culver’s
Culver’s participation in National Nurses Week 2018 was handled on a location-specific basis rather than through a nationwide corporate mandate. * Offer: Specials for nurses (specific deal details were not standardized). * Eligibility: Nurses with valid ID. * Redemption: Valid ID required. * Availability: Individual locations may have offered specials. Nurses were advised to call their closest location or check the location details page at www.culvers.com to verify participation.
Hop Life Brewing Co.
A local brewery in Port St. Lucie, Florida, offered a complimentary beverage to nurses. * Offer: One free pint of beer. * Eligibility: Nurses with work ID. * Redemption: Work ID required. * Dates: Tuesday, May 8, through Thursday, May 10, 2018. * Availability: Hop Life Brewing Co. in Port St. Lucie.
Planet Smoothie
Planet Smoothie offered complimentary beverages to educators and school faculty in a specific Florida region, with similar offers noted for nurses in other reports. * Offer: A free 16 oz. Planet Favorite, Planet Lite™, or Energy smoothie. * Eligibility: Teachers and school faculty members in the Tampa Bay area (and generally nurses in other reports). * Redemption: Valid ID required. * Dates: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Beyond food and beverage, several retail chains provided discounts to nurses during the appreciation period.
New York & Company
New York & Company provided a discount specifically for nursing professionals. * Offer: 15 percent discount. * Eligibility: Nurses. * Redemption: In-store verification required. * Availability: Valid year-round, not limited to Nurses Week.
Hanes
Hanes extended a discount to members of the education community, including retired educators. * Offer: 10 percent discount on purchases. * Eligibility: Members of the education community, including retired educators. * Redemption: A promo code was required, which could be obtained via the provided link in the source material.
JoAnn Fabric
JoAnn Fabric offered a standing discount for teachers. * Offer: 15 percent discount, valid both in-store and online. * Eligibility: Teachers enrolled in the Teacher Rewards program. * Redemption: Enrollment in the Teacher Rewards program was required.
Travel and Entertainment Offers
For nurses looking to utilize their time off, specific travel and entertainment discounts were available, particularly within the state of Florida.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, offered special rates for nurses. * Offer: Special room rates (year-long discount). * Eligibility: Nurses. * Redemption: Nurses were required to call 1-888-828-8850 to book a reservation and mention their status as a nurse. * Terms: Rates did not include mandatory resort service packaging, parking fees, or taxes. The discount could not be combined with other promotions. * Availability: Year-round.
Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center offered an educational pass for teachers, which is relevant for healthcare professionals who may also hold educator certifications or have family members interested in the offer. * Offer: Free access to the Educator Resource Center via an Educator Study Pass. * Eligibility: Full-time teachers in Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. * Redemption: Application for the Educator Study Pass required.
Other Services and Offers
Amazon
Amazon provided a digital freebie relevant to the nursing profession. * Offer: Free nursing Kindle books. * Availability: Digital store.
American Icon Brewery
American Icon Brewery offered a discount to nurses (and teachers) in Vero Beach. * Offer: 15 percent off the bill. * Eligibility: Nurses (and teachers) bringing their badges. * Dates: Through Friday, May 11, 2018. * Availability: Vero Beach brewery.
Important Considerations for Redemption
While the offers listed above were reported during National Nurses Week 2018, consumers were advised to take specific steps to ensure eligibility and availability:
- Identification: Almost all offers required a valid work identification badge or professional license to be presented at the time of purchase or check-in.
- Location Variance: For franchises such as Chick-fil-A and Culver’s, participation was strictly up to the individual franchise owner. Consumers were encouraged to call their local branch or check social media channels to confirm participation before visiting.
- Exclusions: Offers like the one at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort excluded taxes, parking, and service fees. Similarly, discounts often could not be combined with other promotions.
- Timing: Specific offers were valid only on certain days (e.g., PDQ on May 8) or within specific time windows (e.g., Chick-fil-A nuggets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Conclusion
National Nurses Week 2018 provided Florida-based nurses with a diverse array of freebies and discounts, ranging from complimentary food items at major chains to year-round retail and travel discounts. The promotions highlighted the appreciation of businesses for the healthcare community, though the majority of offers required valid professional identification and were subject to location-specific participation. Nurses interested in similar future promotions should monitor announcements from major brands and local businesses leading up to the annual observance in May.