National Nurses Week is an annual observance held from May 6 to May 12, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale. During this period, various businesses and organizations offer discounts, free products, and special events to recognize the contributions of nursing professionals. The following information details verified offers and trends for 2025, based on data provided in the source materials.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of Nurses Week promotions originates from restaurant chains offering complimentary food items or discounts. These offers typically require proof of employment, such as a valid nursing ID or verification through a third-party service like ID.me.
Major Chain Promotions
- Chipotle: Chipotle offers a sweepstakes for healthcare professionals, including nurses. Participants can register at healthcare.chipotle.com to win a free entrée e-card. Employment status is verified through ID.me. Winners are typically notified during the week following the official Nurses Week dates. While the primary sweepstakes is national, some sources indicate that winning nurses receive a coupon valid for a free burrito or bowl.
- Dunkin': Dunkin' has historically provided nurses with a free medium hot or iced coffee on May 6. This offer usually requires no purchase but excludes specialty beverages such as Frozen Coffee, Cold Brew, and Nitro Cold Brew. The promotion is generally valid at participating locations.
- Applebee's: Select Applebee's locations offer a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée to teachers and nurses. This offer is often valid through May 10th. Because participation varies by franchise, nurses are encouraged to verify the deal with their local restaurant.
- Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A does not maintain a standardized national discount for Nurses Week. However, individual franchise owners may choose to honor local nurses with specific deals. Nurses should check the websites or social media pages of their local Chick-fil-A outlets for potential announcements.
- Jimmy John's: In previous years, Jimmy John's has offered nurses $5 off online and app orders with a minimum purchase of $20. This usually requires the application of a specific promo code during checkout.
- Auntie Anne's: Auntie Anne's has offered Perks members a Buy One Get One (BOGO) deal on pretzels via their website or app during the first week of May.
- Cinnabon: Participating Cinnabon locations have historically provided nurses with a free Classic Cinnamon Roll or Minibon upon presentation of a valid ID.
- McAlister's Deli: McAlister's Deli has participated in the past by offering nurses a free tea during the week of May 6–12.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Nurses have received a 20% discount on orders (dine-in, call-in, and walk-in) at Buffalo Wild Wings during Nurses Week. This offer requires a valid ID.
- BurgerFi: BurgerFi has offered a 20% discount on all orders to nurses with a valid ID during the week of May 6–12.
Verification Requirements
Many food-related offers utilize digital verification systems. Chipotle, for example, explicitly uses ID.me to verify healthcare employment. Other restaurants may simply require the physical presentation of a nursing badge or employee ID at the point of sale. It is recommended that nurses carry valid identification to redeem these offers.
Apparel and Footwear Discounts
Nurses often seek comfortable and durable footwear for long shifts. Several footwear and apparel brands acknowledge Nurses Week with exclusive discounts.
Footwear Brands
- Crocs: Crocs has historically offered exclusive in-store discounts of 20% during Nurses Week. For those without a nearby store, a year-round discount of 15% is available for healthcare workers who verify their status through ID.me.
- Skechers: Skechers is noted as a brand that typically participates in Nurses Week promotions, offering discounts on footwear. Specific terms and percentages vary by year and location.
- OOFOS: OOFOS, a brand known for recovery footwear, has offered discounts during Nurses Week. The specific discount structure for 2025 is not detailed in the provided data, but the brand is a consistent participant in the event.
- The Good Feet Store: This retailer typically offers promotions for nurses during the observance week.
Apparel and Accessories
- Sockwell: Sockwell is identified as a brand that offers deals for nurses during this period.
- Scrubs and Uniforms: While specific brand names for scrubs are not listed in the provided data, general categories of "Scrubs" and "Clothing" are listed as areas where discounts are typically available. Sources suggest that uniform retailers often run site-wide sales or offer free shipping during Nurses Week.
Healthcare and Wellness Products
Beyond food and clothing, Nurses Week is a time for discounts on health-related products and self-care items.
- Stethoscopes: Discounts on medical equipment, specifically stethoscopes, are a common category during this week.
- Tumblers and Drinkware: Hydration is a priority for nurses, and drinkware brands frequently offer deals.
- Wellness Products: Various wellness brands participate in the celebration. Past participants include OOFOS, though specific 2025 details are not yet confirmed in the source data.
Entertainment and Sporting Events
Professional sports teams often host appreciation nights for nurses during May. These events typically offer discounted tickets, on-field recognition, or unique experiences.
Professional Baseball Appreciation Nights
Several Major League Baseball teams have hosted Nurses Week appreciation nights in the past. Based on 2024 schedules, these included: * Kansas City: May 3, 2024 * Minnesota: May 6, 2024 * Chicago: May 6, 2024 * Houston: May 15, 2024 * Boston: May 16, 2024 * New York: May 22, 2024
Nurses interested in 2025 events should monitor local team websites for announcements regarding "Nurses Appreciation Nights," as these dates shift annually.
Sweepstakes and Giveaways
Several organizations host sweepstakes specifically for Nurses Week, offering high-value prizes.
- Vivian Health and ResortPass: Vivian Health has partnered with ResortPass to offer nurses a chance to win a "daycation." The sweepstakes typically includes one winner receiving $500 in daycation credits and two winners receiving $250 in credits. Additionally, the first 100 entrants often receive 10% off their first ResortPass booking.
- Chipotle Sweepstakes: As noted previously, this sweepstakes offers free burrito e-cards to verified healthcare professionals.
Self-Care and Community Initiatives
The focus of Nurses Week extends beyond commercial discounts to include self-care and professional recognition.
- HealthyNurse Survey: The American Nurses Association (ANA) encourages nurses to participate in the HealthyNurse Survey. This assessment helps nurses evaluate their own stress levels and health needs, promoting a culture of self-care.
- Gratitude Practices: Organizations encourage nurses to utilize the week for reflection and positive affirmations, emphasizing the importance of mental health alongside physical discounts.
- American Nurses Enterprise: The ANA and its affiliated organizations (American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Nurses Foundation) are the official stewards of National Nurses Week. They provide the framework for the observance and encourage the sharing of gratitude.
Eligibility and Redemption Guidelines
To successfully redeem offers during National Nurses Week, participants generally must adhere to specific guidelines.
- Proof of Employment: A valid nursing ID, badge, or license is the most common requirement for in-person offers.
- Digital Verification: For online sweepstakes and some app-based offers, verification through platforms like ID.me is required. This process confirms employment status within the healthcare sector.
- Location Specificity: Offers from franchises (e.g., Applebee's, Chick-fil-A) are not guaranteed nationwide. Always call ahead or check the local branch's website.
- Exclusions: Food offers often exclude premium or specialty items (e.g., Dunkin' excluding Cold Brew).
- Timing: Most deals are strictly time-sensitive, valid only between May 6 and May 12, or specifically on May 6.
Conclusion
National Nurses Week 2025 offers a wide array of opportunities for nurses to receive appreciation through food, retail discounts, and wellness experiences. From free coffee and burritos to significant savings on footwear and professional sports tickets, the week is designed to provide tangible benefits to healthcare professionals. While specific offers for 2025 are extrapolated from previous years' trends and early announcements, the core structure of the week—May 6 through May 12—remains constant. Nurses are advised to carry valid identification, monitor brand websites for updated terms, and utilize verification services like ID.me to access the full range of available benefits.