National Nurses Week in the United States, running from May 6th to May 12th in 2018, is a period dedicated to recognising the contributions of nursing professionals. During this time, numerous companies and brands offer special promotions, freebies, and discounts to show appreciation. For nurses seeking to access these offers, understanding the specific terms, eligibility requirements, and participating brands is essential. This guide details the freebies and discounts available during the 2018 National Nurses Week, based on information compiled from promotional announcements and news reports.
The offers outlined below were active during the specified week in May 2018. Participation and availability could vary by location and franchise, and most required the presentation of a valid medical or employee identification badge as proof of profession. The promotions spanned several categories, including food and beverage, professional development, and retail products.
Food and Beverage Freebies and Discounts
A significant portion of the Nurses Week promotions came from restaurant and food service chains. These offers typically required in-person verification of a nursing identity.
Cinnabon Cinnabon, a bakery chain, was a prominent participant. As a sponsor of the DAISY Foundation, the company offered a free treat to nurses during the week. To redeem, nurses were required to show their medical ID badge at any participating Cinnabon store. The offer included a free classic cinnamon roll, a MiniBon, or a four-piece order of BonBites. This promotion was available at Cinnabon locations nationwide.
PDQ PDQ, a restaurant chain known for chicken tenders and salads, extended a discount to both nurses and teachers on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The promotion offered 50% off the entire check for qualifying individuals who presented a valid ID. This was a single-day offer, valid at all PDQ locations.
Jimboy’s Tacos This California-based taco chain offered a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) free deal on its Original Ground Beef Tacos. The promotion was valid for nurses who showed a valid employee ID at participating locations in the Sacramento and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. The offer ran through May 12, 2018, with a limit of three free tacos per nurse.
Chick-fil-A Select Chick-fil-A locations across the country honoured nurses with various offerings. These ranged from discounts to free signature chicken sandwiches or a free breakfast. To access these offers, nurses needed to present a valid nurse ID at participating locations. It was noted that participation varied, so checking with the nearest restaurant was recommended.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Through May 12, 2018, Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered a free fountain drink or cookie to nurses. To redeem, nurses could show their medical ID or wear their scrubs. This offer was valid with the purchase of a sandwich or salad.
Chipotle Chipotle offered a promotion for nurses, but it was scheduled for a date after National Nurses Week. Nurses could use a work ID on June 5, 2018, to receive a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos.
Professional Development and Educational Resources
Beyond food and drink, some offers focused on professional development and continuing education for nurses.
American Nurses Association (ANA) Webinar The American Nurses Association provided a free webinar titled “Emerging Technology and Its Impact on Nursing Practice.” This live webinar was scheduled for May 9, 2018, at 1 p.m. ET. Participants were eligible to earn a free Continuing Education (CE) credit. The webinar aimed to provide insight into the impact of technology on nursing practice and offer real-world advice for adapting to technological changes in patient care.
Amazon Kindle Books Amazon offered free nursing books available for download on Kindle devices or the Kindle app during Nurses Week 2018. This digital offer provided access to nursing-related literature at no cost.
DiscoverNursing.com (Johnson & Johnson) Johnson & Johnson, through its DiscoverNursing.com platform, offered a range of free resources. These included nurse-themed magnets, colouring books, a “Nurses Heal” pin, brochures, posters, videos, and software. These complimentary resources were available for order online, providing tangible items for personal or professional use.
Retail and Hospitality Discounts
Additional promotions were available in the retail and hospitality sectors, offering discounts on services and products.
Swan and Dolphin Hotels A hotel discount was available to nurses at the Swan and Dolphin hotels. To receive the discount, the booking code “DREAMS” had to be used. Upon check-in, nurses were required to provide their medical ID badge to validate the discount. Further details on this offer were available through the provided information channel.
Important Considerations for Accessing Offers
When seeking to utilise these or similar promotional offers, several key points should be considered:
- Verification Requirements: Nearly all offers required proof of profession. A valid medical ID badge, employee ID, or wearing scrubs was typically necessary. Nurses should ensure they have the correct identification on hand when visiting participating locations.
- Location and Participation Variability: Many of the deals, particularly those from restaurant chains, were subject to location-specific participation. Not all franchises of a given brand may have taken part in the promotion. It was strongly advised to check with the local outlet before visiting to confirm participation and offer details.
- Validity Period: Offers were strictly time-bound, with most valid only during the National Nurses Week period from May 6 to May 12, 2018. The Chipotle promotion was an exception, scheduled for June 5. Missing the validity period meant forfeiting the offer.
- Limits and Conditions: Some promotions had specific limits. For example, the Jimboy’s Tacos offer was limited to three free tacos per nurse. Understanding any such conditions is crucial to managing expectations and ensuring a smooth redemption process.
Conclusion
National Nurses Week 2018 presented a variety of opportunities for nursing professionals to receive freebies and discounts as a gesture of appreciation. The available promotions ranged from complimentary food items and hotel discounts to free educational webinars and professional resources. To successfully access these offers, nurses needed to present valid identification, verify local participation, and adhere to the specific terms and conditions, including validity dates and purchase requirements. While the offers detailed here were specific to the 2018 event, they exemplify the types of promotions that are often available during nurse appreciation periods.