Covid-19 Nurse Freebies Companies Showing Appreciation To Healthcare Heroes

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to healthcare workers, particularly nurses who were on the frontlines providing essential care. In response to their dedication and sacrifice, numerous companies across various industries stepped forward to offer freebies, discounts, and resources as a token of appreciation. These offers ranged from complimentary meals and beverages to professional development resources, personal protective equipment, and even financial incentives. This comprehensive guide details the freebies and discounts available to nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, based on verified information from multiple sources.

Food and Beverage Freebies

During the COVID-19 pandemic and Nurses Week celebrations, numerous food and beverage establishments recognized nurses' contributions by offering complimentary items and special discounts. These gestures provided not just sustenance but also a moment of appreciation for healthcare workers facing immense pressure.

Several restaurant chains participated in these appreciation efforts. Chipotle demonstrated its support by offering free burritos to nurses, acknowledging their extra shifts and dedication to patient care. Similarly, Zaxby's participated in Nurses Week by providing a buy-one-get-one-free Big Zax Snak Meal on May 6th. Cinnabon also joined the appreciation efforts by offering free classic rolls to nurses during this period.

Coffee shops were particularly generous in their offerings. Dunkin' consistently showed appreciation by providing nurses with a free medium hot or iced coffee, both during Nurses Week and as an ongoing recognition of their service. BIGGBY COFFEE extended its appreciation by offering nurses a free 16 oz beverage of their choice along with a free retractable badge clip specifically on May 6th. These coffee freebies provided nurses with much-needed caffeine boosts during demanding shifts.

Amazon, while primarily known for retail, also contributed to the appreciation efforts in the food category. The company offered nurses a free 6-pack of Classic cookies with any in-store purchase or alternatively, a single free Classic cookie with no purchase required throughout Nurses Week. This small but meaningful gesture allowed nurses to enjoy a sweet treat at no cost.

Apparel and Accessories

Nurses received numerous offers for free and discounted apparel and accessories during the COVID-19 pandemic. These offerings recognized the physical demands of nursing work and provided practical items that healthcare professionals could use both professionally and personally.

Several companies focused on footwear as part of their appreciation efforts. Crocs offered free shoes to nurses, recognizing the long hours spent on their feet. FJOLK provided an opportunity for nurses to receive a free pair of shoes by emailing [email protected]. ASICS Shoes demonstrated their support by offering nurses a substantial 40% discount on all full-priced products in their online store, making professional footwear more accessible. Kizik Shoes, although their offer had ended by the time of reporting, had previously donated 1,000 free pairs of hands-free shoes to nurses and doctors combating COVID-19.

Accessories were also part of the appreciation packages. BIGGBY COFFEE provided nurses with complimentary retractable badge clips, which are practical items for healthcare professionals who need to display their identification regularly. Nursemates offered nurses 15% off purchases including masks, combining both discount and practicality in their appreciation gesture.

Health and Wellness Resources

Recognizing the physical and mental toll of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies offered free health and wellness resources. These offerings ranged from professional training to mental health support, acknowledging the comprehensive needs of healthcare workers.

Several organizations provided free COVID-19 training courses to help nurses stay updated on best practices and protocols. IntelyCare launched a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification program, which upon completion awarded one free contact hour. The American Nurses Association offered a free COVID-19 training titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic." Similarly, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses provided a free online course available 24/7 featuring the latest information on caring for patients with COVID-19, with a focus on pulmonary, ARDS, and ventilator resources.

Osmosis contributed to nursing education by offering multiple resources, including a free COVID-19 course for health professionals eligible for 2 CME credits, free clinical skill videos on related topics such as imaging features and body temperature assessment, and free events including meditation and yoga sessions. These resources addressed both the educational and wellness aspects of nursing during the pandemic.

Mental health support was also incorporated into some offerings. Osmosis hosted free events including meditation and yoga sessions, along with AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions with their Chief Medical Officer, providing nurses with opportunities to decompress and access support.

Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Items

As the COVID-19 pandemic created significant demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), several companies stepped forward to provide these essential items to nurses at no cost. These offerings addressed the immediate safety needs of healthcare workers on the frontlines.

DHAVNI offered nurses the opportunity to request a free mask, directly addressing the need for basic PPE. Print For the Cure contributed by providing faceshields, mask straps, and door openers, recognizing that safety extended beyond just masks to various aspects of infection prevention. Preppi joined the effort by donating N95 masks to healthcare workers in need, providing higher-level protection for those in direct contact with COVID-19 patients.

Masks by Decor8 Interiors also participated in providing free PPE, though they noted that due to overwhelming demand, their shipping timeline for freebie masks was approximately nine weeks from the date of request. This delay highlighted both the generosity of companies and the immense need for PPE during the peak of the pandemic.

JINS Eyewear offered healthcare workers the chance to win a free pair of glasses through an entry form, though they later updated their offer due to overwhelming response, shifting to selecting 5 people per day for this freebie. This recognition of vision needs acknowledged that healthcare workers required various forms of personal protection and care.

Professional Development and Educational Resources

Beyond immediate needs, companies offered professional development resources to support nurses' career growth and continuing education during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources recognized the importance of ongoing education in healthcare.

Orbit CME provided a $100 credit specifically for nurses, supporting their continuing medical education needs. The American Nurses Association offered a free 68-minute webinar for RNs entitled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients During this COVID-19 Pandemic," combining education with pandemic-specific guidance.

Knack, although their offer had ended by the time of reporting, had previously hosted a Nurses Week promotion where people could nominate their favorite nurse to win a Knack Pack, providing professional tools and resources to support nursing practice.

Home Comfort and Lifestyle Items

Recognizing that nurses needed rest and comfort after demanding shifts, several companies offered products related to home comfort and lifestyle. These items acknowledged the importance of recovery and personal wellbeing for healthcare workers.

Puffy demonstrated appreciation by offering healthcare professionals an exclusive discount of $375 off any Puffy mattress along with 2 free pillows. This substantial offer addressed the critical need for quality rest for those working long, stressful hours in healthcare settings.

Amazon contributed to nurses' leisure time by offering four free medical drama books available for Kindle E-readers, Fire tablets, and the free Kindle app. These books provided entertainment and an escape from the high-stress environment of healthcare work.

LinkBuildingHQ acknowledged healthcare workers' efforts by offering a 15% discount on marketing services for their online presence, using the coupon code Covid15-LBUS. This unique offering recognized that nurses, like many professionals, might have personal or professional online needs that could benefit from such services.

Travel and Transportation Benefits

Several companies extended appreciation to nurses through travel-related benefits, recognizing that healthcare workers might need transportation for commuting or personal reasons, especially during the pandemic.

Caesars Rewards offered nurses 35% discounts on hotel reservations, providing opportunities for rest and relaxation during time off. While specific rental car companies weren't detailed in the sources, Source 1 mentioned "Rental Cars" as one of the participating categories, suggesting that various rental companies had special offers for nurses.

Hertz Cars had previously offered a significant benefit to nurses working in NYC, providing a free rental car for an entire month. However, by the time of reporting, this offer had reached its limit and was no longer available. This type of substantial support acknowledged the transportation challenges healthcare workers might face, particularly during the pandemic when public transportation options might have been limited or posed health concerns.

Year-Round Appreciation Offers

While many offers were specifically tied to Nurses Week or the initial COVID-19 response period, some companies extended their appreciation beyond these specific timeframes. Source 5 noted that "with the Covid-19 pandemic came an enduring appreciation for nurses shown beyond just nurses week, so keep an eye out for the restaurants and retailers that offer discounts to nurses year-round."

Adidas demonstrated this enduring appreciation by offering 30% off on-the-line items from their healthcare collection, suggesting an ongoing commitment to supporting nurses beyond just appreciation periods. Similarly, Dunkin' appeared to offer free coffee to healthcare workers who showed their ID on May 6th, but this may have been part of a pattern of appreciation rather than a one-time offer.

Outback Steakhouse offered a 10% discount to nurses, indicating that some restaurants transitioned from one-time freebies to ongoing discounts as a sustainable way to show appreciation for healthcare workers.

How to Access These Freebies

Accessing the various freebies and discounts typically required some form of verification of nursing status. Most offers required nurses to present their professional identification, such as a work badge or nursing license, either in-store or when registering online. Some offers required completing a form on a company website, while others simply required mentioning that they were a nurse when placing an order or making a purchase.

For digital resources like free e-books and online courses, nurses generally needed to create an account on the respective platform and verify their professional status, often through an email address associated with a healthcare organization or by uploading a copy of their professional identification.

For free items that required shipping, such as masks or shoes, nurses typically needed to provide their shipping address after verifying their professional status through an online form. Some companies, like JINS Eyewear, implemented a lottery system due to overwhelming demand, selecting a limited number of applicants each day.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an outpouring of appreciation from companies across various industries toward nurses and other healthcare workers. These freebies and discounts ranged from immediate necessities like food and PPE to longer-term investments in professional development and wellbeing. While many offers were specifically tied to Nurses Week or the initial pandemic response, some companies have established ongoing programs to recognize nurses' contributions.

The variety of offerings demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of nurses' needs, from practical items like masks and coffee to educational resources and opportunities for rest. As healthcare systems continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath, these expressions of appreciation serve as a reminder of the vital role nurses play in maintaining public health.

For nurses seeking to take advantage of these offers, it's important to verify the current status of each promotion, as availability and requirements may change over time. Many offers were time-sensitive or had limited quantities, and some had already expired or reached capacity by the time of reporting. Checking directly with the companies for the most up-to-date information is recommended.

Sources

1. Companies Celebrating Nurses Week with Giveaways
2. List of Freebies for Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis & Nurses Week 2020
3. Offers, Freebies and Discounts for Healthcare Workers
4. Appreciation Freebies for Healthcare Workers
5. Nurses Week 2022 Discounts and Freebies
6. Discounts and Freebies for National Nurses Week