National Nurses Week is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. Spanning from May 6th to May 12th, the week culminates on May 12th, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This period serves as a focal point for expressions of gratitude from businesses, communities, and healthcare institutions. Across the country, a wide variety of establishments offer special promotions, complimentary products, and exclusive discounts to honor nurses, frontline responders, and medical staff. This article provides a detailed overview of the types of freebies and deals available during this week, based on information from promotional sources and deal aggregators.
The tradition of offering freebies during National Nurses Week has grown significantly, with businesses in sectors such as food and beverage, retail, and wellness participating to show appreciation. Offers typically require verification of employment or professional status, often through a valid work badge, employee ID, or verification through a third-party service like ID.me. While many promotions are exclusive to nurses, some are extended to a broader group of healthcare workers, including doctors, paramedics, and medical staff. It is important for consumers to note that offers can vary by location and year, and specific details should be confirmed with the offering business prior to seeking the promotion.
Types of Freebies and Discounts Available
During National Nurses Week, freebies and discounts generally fall into several key categories, including food and beverages, retail and apparel, wellness and self-care, and travel or entertainment. The availability of these offers is often announced by businesses in the weeks leading up to May, with many deals requiring in-person redemption at a physical location. Some promotions, such as sweepstakes or digital gift cards, may be available online.
Food and Beverage Offers
Many restaurants and food chains participate in Nurses Week by offering complimentary meals or appetizers to nurses and healthcare workers with valid identification. These offers are typically valid for a limited time during the week and may require the purchase of an entrée or other item.
- Applebee’s: In previous years, Applebee’s has offered a free appetizer to nurses who present a valid work badge with the purchase of an adult entrée. The offer has been valid for dine-in only and has had a specific value cap, such as up to $12. The promotion period has sometimes extended slightly before or after the official Nurses Week dates. For example, one source noted an offer valid from April 28th to May 10th, 2025.
- Chick-fil-A: Select Chick-fil-A locations have offered special freebies and gifts for nurses during Nurses Week. These offers vary by restaurant, and most require an ID for verification. In 2025, some locations offered a free Original Chicken Sandwich on May 6th from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm with a valid ID. Additionally, the Chick-fil-A app allows users to verify their status as a community hero with ID.me for access to special offers throughout the year.
- Chipotle: Chipotle has run promotions where healthcare workers can enter for a chance to win free burritos. For instance, in 2025, the company awarded 100,000 healthcare workers with free burrito e-cards, equivalent to over $1 million in free food. The entry period was from May 6th to May 10th.
- Cinnabon: Cinnabon has expressed appreciation by offering a free, warm, classic cinnamon roll to nurses during Nurses Week.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: This restaurant chain has offered a 20% discount on dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders when a valid ID is shown during the Nurses Week period (May 6–12).
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Scrubs and work apparel are common focus areas for discounts during Nurses Week, as these are essential items for many healthcare professionals. Retailers specializing in medical apparel often run significant sales.
- AllHeart: During its 2025 Nurses’ Week sale, AllHeart offered nurses up to 40% off select scrubs, accessories, medical devices, and gifts. This discount was part of a broader promotional sale for the week.
Wellness, Self-Care, and Surprise Freebies
Beyond food and retail, Nurses Week freebies often extend to items and services focused on wellness and self-care. These can include spa treatments, fitness memberships, wellness kits, and other surprises aimed at helping nurses unwind after long shifts.
- Local Businesses and Healthcare Facilities: Many local businesses, such as yoga studios, fitness centers, and spas, partner with hospitals to offer complimentary services. These can include free wellness classes, meditation sessions, gym memberships for a month, massages, facial treatments, or pedicures. Local hospitals and clinics are often noted for creating creative and heartfelt appreciation gifts for their staff.
- Wellness Kits and Preparedness Items: Some promotions include surprise items like wellness kits, fitness wearables, and even emergency preparedness kits. These hidden gems are often offered by smaller, specialized sources and may not be widely advertised.
Travel and Entertainment
While less commonly detailed in the provided sources, some travel and entertainment companies may offer discounts to nurses. The sources mention that travel deals can be part of the broader celebration, though specific examples are not provided in the chunks.
Eligibility and Verification Requirements
Most Nurses Week freebies and discounts are designed specifically for licensed nurses. However, many businesses extend their offers to other healthcare professionals, including doctors, paramedics, and medical staff. To claim these offers, individuals typically need to provide proof of their profession. Common verification methods include:
- Valid Work Badge or Employee ID: This is the most frequently required form of identification for in-person offers at restaurants and retail stores.
- Professional License: Some offers may require a nursing license or other medical credential.
- Third-Party Verification Services: Platforms like ID.me are used by some brands, such as Chick-fil-A, to verify community hero status for year-round offers.
- Online Entry Forms: For sweepstakes or digital giveaways, such as the Chipotle burrito e-card promotion, participants may need to fill out an online entry form during a specified period.
It is important to verify the specific requirements for each offer, as they can vary. Some promotions may be limited to certain locations or may have specific terms and conditions.
How to Find and Access Nurses Week Freebies
Staying informed about available freebies requires proactive research, as offers are often announced in the weeks leading up to National Nurses Week.
- Check Official Brand Websites and Social Media: Many businesses announce their Nurses Week promotions on their official websites or social media channels. Following your favorite brands can provide early access to information.
- Deal Aggregator Websites: Websites dedicated to sharing deals and freebies, such as those referenced in the sources, compile lists of offers as they are announced. These sites often update their lists as new information becomes available.
- Local Business Inquiries: For surprise freebies and local deals, contacting nearby businesses, especially those in the healthcare district, can yield unexpected perks.
- Healthcare Employer Resources: Many hospitals and healthcare facilities have internal communications or bulletin boards that list local and national offers available to their staff.
The Broader Significance of Nurses Week
While freebies and discounts are a tangible way to show appreciation, the core purpose of National Nurses Week extends beyond material benefits. It is a time to reflect on the essential role nurses play in healthcare and to acknowledge their dedication, compassion, and resilience. The small acts of gratitude received during this week—whether a free meal, a thank-you note, or a simple word of encouragement—can have a profound impact on morale and well-being. This celebration also fosters a sense of community among healthcare workers, reinforcing the importance of mutual support and self-care in a demanding profession.
Conclusion
National Nurses Week offers a valuable opportunity for businesses to honor healthcare professionals through a variety of freebies and discounts. From complimentary appetizers at restaurants like Applebee’s and Chick-fil-A to significant savings on scrubs from retailers like AllHeart, and unexpected wellness perks from local businesses, the options are diverse. To take advantage of these offers, nurses and healthcare workers should be prepared to verify their professional status with a work ID or license. While the specific deals may change from year to year, the underlying message of gratitude remains constant. By staying informed through official channels and deal aggregators, healthcare professionals can fully enjoy the appreciation extended to them during this important week.