National Nurses Week in 2018 ran from May 6 to May 12, concluding on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. During this period, numerous brands and businesses across the United States offered special promotions, discounts, and free items to honor the nation's nursing workforce. These offers were designed to show appreciation for the dedication and hard work of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. The celebrations included a variety of categories, ranging from food and beverage to retail, travel, and professional services.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that there were approximately 3.8 million registered nurses in the United States at the time, with projections indicating an addition of 200,000 nurses annually until 2026. Nurses comprise the largest component of the healthcare workforce and serve as primary providers of hospital patient care. Many brands structured their 2018 promotions to coincide with specific dates during the week or to run throughout the entire celebration. Eligibility for these offers generally required proof of employment, such as a valid medical ID badge or work ID, though some promotions were available to the general public or required specific promo codes for redemption.
Food and Beverage Promotions
A significant portion of the 2018 National Nurses Week freebies centered on food and beverages, with major chains offering complimentary items to healthcare workers presenting valid identification.
Cinnabon Cinnabon participated in the annual National Nurses Week giveaway in 2018, a tradition the company had maintained for 18 years. Through this promotion, participating Cinnabon bakeries across the U.S. offered healthcare professionals a choice of one free Cinnabon Classic Roll, one MiniBon® Roll, or a four-count of BonBites™. To redeem this offer, individuals were required to visit a bakery and present a valid medical ID badge. This initiative was conducted in partnership with The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, an organization dedicated to recognizing nurses for their care and compassion. Cinnabon reported that it had given away over one million cinnamon rolls to nurses through this partnership since its inception. The promotion was highlighted as a "sweet token of appreciation" for the support nurses provide to patients and their families.
Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill launched a specific campaign to distribute 250,000 free burritos to nurses and other healthcare workers. The company directed participants to sign up and claim their free burrito through the website giving.chipotle.com/healthcareheroes. This digital sign-up process was the primary method for accessing the offer.
PDQ Chicken PDQ, a fried chicken franchise primarily located on the East Coast, offered nurses a discount on lunch combos. Specifically, the brand provided a dollar off every box lunch combo purchased. This offer was valid for up to 10 combos per transaction and was available through May 13, 2018. Additionally, a separate promotion via Twitter indicated that PDQ was offering 50% off the entire check for nurses and teachers on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, all day, requiring a valid ID.
Tijuana Flats Tijuana Flats, an East Coast Tex-Mex franchise, offered nurses a free entree on May 7, 2018. To redeem this offer, participants needed to use the promo code TYVM2575. There was a maximum value cap on the free item, set at $9.99 plus tax. A valid work ID was required to qualify for this promotion.
Zaxby's Zaxby's, a fast-food chain known for fried chicken, offered a buy-one-get-one deal on the Big Zax Snack meal on May 6, 2018. This offer was available while supplies lasted and required customers to bring a valid work ID.
Biggby Coffee On National Nurses Day, May 6, 2018, Biggby Coffee provided nurses with a free 16 oz. beverage. This offer was intended to help energize nurses during their long shifts. A valid nurse ID card was required to receive the beverage.
Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies offered nurses a choice between a free cookie or a free 6-pack of cookies with any in-store purchase made during the promotional period.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Several retail brands offered significant percentage-based discounts on apparel and footwear to nurses during the 2018 National Nurses Week.
Adidas Adidas offered a 30% off sale during the National Nurses Week period. It is noted that this sale was available to anyone, not exclusively to healthcare workers.
Asics Asics provided nurses with a 40% discount on any online or in-store purchase. Verification of status via a verified work ID was required upon checkout to apply the discount.
Under Armour Under Armour offered nurses a 40% discount on all full-priced items. This offer was valid both in-store and online.
New York & Company New York & Company offered a 15% discount to nurses in-store. Unlike many other offers that were limited to Nurses Week, this discount was available year-round.
Staples Staples, the office supply chain, offered healthcare workers 25% off any in-store purchase. To redeem this discount, the promo code 50668 was required. This offer was valid through May 8, 2018.
Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Bedding offered a 25% discount on any purchase made online or in-store. A valid work ID was required to be verified upon checkout to receive this discount.
Travel and Accommodation Offers
Travel-related perks were also part of the 2018 promotions, focusing on parking and resort stays.
The Parking Spot The Parking Spot, a near-airport parking company with locations across 22 U.S. cities, offered a "Healthcare Heroes" discount. Nurses received 25% off airport parking from Thursday through May 12, 2018, and 10% off thereafter. Registration for the discount was required at theparkingspot.com.
Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort Disney's Swan and Dolphin resort offered special rates for nurses year-round. To access these rates, nurses were required to mention their profession when making a reservation. This offer was extended to educators, military personnel, and government workers as well.
Professional Services and Miscellaneous Offers
Promotions also extended into professional services, book offerings, and nomination-based giveaways.
McAllister’s Deli McAllister’s Deli created a nomination program for nurses. Participants could nominate a registered nurse for a chance to win free catering for them and their coworkers. Submissions for this nomination were accepted through May 6, 2018. All nominees received a free tea via email within 24 to 48 hours of submission. Winners of the free catering were announced on May 7, 2018.
Bayada Home Health Care Bayada Home Health Care, a not-for-profit at-home care provider, hosted a "What’s Your Wish" giveaway on NursesWeek.com. The promotion planned to randomly select up to 50 nurses to win a prize kit. Entrants had several options to choose from, including a staycation package or nursing gear.
Amazon Amazon offered free nursing Kindle books during the National Nurses Week period. This digital offer provided educational resources for nursing professionals.
Conclusion
The 2018 National Nurses Week saw a diverse array of businesses participating in showing appreciation for healthcare professionals. Offers ranged from immediate gratification, such as free cinnamon rolls and coffee, to substantial savings on retail purchases and travel. The majority of these promotions required valid identification to verify employment as a nurse or healthcare worker. While many offers were strictly time-limited to the week of May 6-12, some brands, such as New York & Company and Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort, extended benefits to nurses on a year-round basis. Consumers interested in similar future promotions are advised to monitor brand websites and social media channels during the weeks leading up to May.