Atlanta Nurses Week 2018 Free Food And Discount Offers For Healthcare Professionals

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6th to May 12th, provides an opportunity for communities across the United States to recognize the contributions of healthcare professionals. In Atlanta, several businesses and organizations participate by offering special promotions, discounts, and freebies to nurses and other healthcare workers. These offers range from complimentary food items to educational opportunities, reflecting the city's appreciation for the vital role nurses play in healthcare delivery.

Understanding Nurses Week

Nurses Week was established in 1990 to honor nurses from May 6th, National Recognition Day, through May 12th, the birth date of Florence Nightingale, widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. According to the American Nurses Association, these permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. During this week, various organizations and businesses express their gratitude to nurses through special offers and acknowledgments.

The significance of Nurses Week extends beyond simple appreciation. It serves as a reminder of the critical role nurses play in patient care, healthcare advocacy, and community wellness. For businesses, participating in Nurses Week promotions represents an opportunity to demonstrate community support while recognizing these essential workers.

Atlanta-Based Cinnabon's Nurses Week Tradition

One of Atlanta's most notable contributions to Nurses Week celebrations comes from Cinnabon, a company headquartered in the city. For 18 consecutive years, Cinnabon has partnered with The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation to offer free cinnamon rolls to nurses and healthcare professionals during Nurses Week.

The partnership between Cinnabon and The DAISY Foundation began when a young man asked his parents to bring Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to all his nurses to thank them for their dedicated care while he battled a terminal illness. This heartfelt gesture established a tradition that continues today, with Cinnabon having given away over a million cinnamon rolls to nurses nationwide.

During Nurses Week 2018, participating Cinnabon bakeries across the United States, including those in Atlanta, offered healthcare professionals a choice of one free Cinnabon Classic Roll, MiniBon® Roll, or a four-count of BonBites™ upon presentation of a valid medical ID badge. The company's commitment to this initiative reflects its broader mission to "spread warmth" and express appreciation for the care and support nurses provide to patients and their families.

Cinnabon's president, Kristen Hartman, emphasized the importance of this recognition: "The work nurses put in each day is inspiring and noble. Cinnabon couldn't be prouder to call DAISY a partner. Spreading warmth is what Cinnabon is all about and we are thankful that we can offer a sweet token of appreciation for the care and support nurses continually provide to patients and their families."

The DAISY Foundation, created to ensure that nurses receive the respect and recognition they deserve, has worked with Cinnabon to make this annual giveaway a meaningful tradition in healthcare appreciation. The foundation notes that Cinnabon's involvement allows them to "remind nurses of how sweet and special they are" during this important recognition week.

Restaurant Offers and Discounts

Beyond Cinnabon, several other restaurants and food establishments in Atlanta and nationwide participated in Nurses Week 2018 by offering special deals to healthcare professionals. These offers provided nurses with opportunities to enjoy meals at reduced costs or no cost, serving as tangible expressions of gratitude for their service.

PDQ

PDQ restaurants participated in Nurses Week 2018 by offering a significant discount to nurses and teachers on Tuesday, May 8th. The restaurant chain provided 50 percent off entire meals all day long to nurses who presented a valid ID. This substantial discount allowed nurses to enjoy a complete meal at half price, recognizing their hard work and dedication during their special week.

Buffalo Wild Wings

The popular chicken wing chain Buffalo Wild Wings offered nurses a 20% discount on food items during Nurses Week 2018. This discount applied to both dine-in orders and takeout meals, providing flexibility for nurses with varying schedules. The promotion was available throughout the Nurses Week celebration period from May 6th to May 12th, 2018.

Logan's Roadhouse

Similar to Buffalo Wild Wings, Logan's Roadhouse extended a 20% discount on food purchases to nurses during Nurses Week 2018. This offer complemented other promotions and gave nurses additional dining options during their recognition week.

Mod Pizza

Mod Pizza participated in Nurses Week celebrations by offering a buy-one-get-one-free pizza promotion from May 5th to May 8th, 2018. Additionally, the chain provided free add-ons to meals for nurses, enhancing the value of their appreciation offer. The promotion was available in Mod Pizza locations nationwide, including those in the Atlanta area.

Chipotle

Chipotle approached Nurses Week recognition differently by offering healthcare professionals the opportunity to win free entrée e-cards. Nurses could enter through Chipotle's website for a chance to receive a free entrée. After entering, participants needed to verify their employment status within 48 hours through a provided link. Successful verification resulted in receiving a free entrée e-card, with notifications beginning on May 13th, 2018.

Chipotle's Chief Brand Officer, Chris Brandt, explained the company's motivation for this program: "Teachers and healthcare professionals are such important members of the communities we serve. To express our gratitude, we're scaling up our recognition efforts and launching our largest free burrito giveback program in history." This approach allowed Chipotle to recognize a large number of healthcare professionals while managing the logistics of providing complimentary meals.

Other Potential Offers

While not specifically mentioned in the source material as Atlanta-based, other national restaurant chains may have participated in Nurses Week promotions during 2018. Some establishments that have historically offered nursing discounts include:

• Denny's: Often offers free meals to nurses during Nurses Week
• Krispy Kreme: Has provided free donuts in previous years
• Dairy Queen: Occasionally offers free treats to nurses

For the most current and location-specific information, nurses were encouraged to check with local restaurants directly, as participation and offers could vary by location and year.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food establishments, several retail and service providers offered special deals to nurses during Nurses Week 2018. These promotions provided nurses with opportunities to save on purchases and enjoy special services as tokens of appreciation.

Disney World

While not Atlanta-specific, Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, advertised year-round discounts for nurses. Nurses could call 1-888-828-8850 to book special room rates. These rates did not include the mandatory resort service packaging, parking fee, or taxes and could not be combined with other promotions and discounts. All nurses were required to show valid employment proof before check-in to avail of these special rates.

New York & Company

Fashion retailer New York & Company offered a special promotion during Nurses Week 2018. While not exclusively for nurses, the company provided $25 off a purchase of $75 or more to anyone who signed up for their email list. This offer was limited to first-time registrants, providing an additional incentive for nurses to join the retailer's mailing list.

Educational Opportunities for Nurses

Beyond free food and discounts, several organizations provided educational opportunities during Nurses Week 2018. These offerings recognized nurses' commitment to professional development and continuous learning.

OnCourse Learning

Nurse.com by OnCourse Learning offered a free continuing education series for nurses focused on the country's opioid crisis. This complimentary course was provided through an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson. Patrick Sheahan, President and CEO of OnCourse Learning, emphasized the importance of this educational offering: "The abuse and misuse of opioids has created a public health emergency. Nurses see the damage every day. Offering continuing education to clinicians can positively impact care and expand the knowledge base of nurses nationwide."

In addition to the opioid crisis course, OnCourse Learning provided several other free educational resources during National Nurses Week: - A free webinar titled "Substance Abuse and Women" - A course on "Knocking Our Pain Safely With PCA" - A course on "Medication Nonadherence: America's Other Drug Problem"

These educational opportunities provided nurses with valuable professional development resources while acknowledging their critical role in addressing healthcare challenges.

Epic Travel Staffing's Instagram Events

Epic Travel Staffing organized a series of Instagram LIVE events during Nurses Week 2018 (May 6-12). These events were free and open to the entire nursing community. The events covered diverse topics including mixology, tax planning, and fitness, providing both educational and recreational content for nurses. Participants could join by following Epic Travel Staffing's Instagram page during the scheduled dates and times.

Participation Requirements and Considerations

For nurses to take advantage of these Nurses Week offers, several common requirements and considerations applied across different promotions:

Valid Identification

Most offers required nurses to present valid identification to verify their employment status. This typically included: - A professional nursing license - A hospital or clinic ID badge - Other documentation demonstrating employment as a healthcare professional

The specific requirements varied by establishment, so nurses were advised to check the terms of each promotion beforehand.

Time Limitations

Many offers were limited to specific dates during Nurses Week: - Cinnabon's promotion ran throughout the entire week (May 6-12) - PDQ's 50% discount was specifically on Tuesday, May 8th - Mod Pizza's buy-one-get-one-free offer ran from May 5-8 - Chipotle's entry period ended on May 12th, with notifications beginning May 13th

Nurses needed to be mindful of these time constraints to ensure they could participate in their desired promotions.

One-Per-Person Limitations

Several establishments limited offers to one per valid ID. This policy helped manage the volume of participation while ensuring as many nurses as possible could benefit from the promotions.

Geographic Availability

While many national chains offered consistent promotions across locations, some participation could vary by specific restaurant or store location. Nurses in Atlanta were encouraged to verify participation with local establishments, particularly for smaller regional chains.

The Impact of Nurses Week Promotions

Nurses Week promotions serve multiple purposes beyond simply providing nurses with free items or discounts. These initiatives:

1. Raise Public Awareness: They bring attention to the important role nurses play in healthcare and society.

2. Build Community Relationships: Businesses demonstrate their support for healthcare workers and the communities they serve.

3. Provide Tangible Recognition: Nurses receive concrete tokens of appreciation that acknowledge their contributions.

4. Encourage Self-Care: By offering food discounts and other treats, these promotions encourage nurses to take time for themselves during often demanding schedules.

5. Support Professional Development: Educational opportunities like those provided by OnCourse Learning contribute to nurses' ongoing growth and expertise.

For businesses, participating in Nurses Week promotions can enhance brand reputation, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and build loyalty among healthcare professionals who may influence purchasing decisions for themselves, their families, and their workplaces.

Planning for Future Nurses Week Celebrations

Based on the 2018 offerings, nurses and healthcare professionals can anticipate similar promotions in future years. To maximize these opportunities:

1. Mark Your Calendar: Note the dates for Nurses Week (May 6-12) and any specific promotion dates.

2. Prepare Identification: Ensure you have appropriate professional identification ready.

3. Check Participating Locations: Verify which locations near you are participating, as participation can vary.

4. Follow Favorite Brands: Sign up for email lists and follow social media accounts of favorite brands to receive early notifications about promotions.

5. Share with Colleagues: Spread the word to fellow nurses who might benefit from these offers.

As the 2018 Nurses Week demonstrated, Atlanta businesses and national chains with local locations offer a range of appreciation opportunities for healthcare professionals. From Cinnabon's long-standing tradition of free cinnamon rolls to educational resources and retail discounts, these promotions collectively express gratitude for nurses' essential contributions to healthcare.

Conclusion

Nurses Week 2018 provided Atlanta nurses and healthcare professionals with numerous opportunities to enjoy recognition through free food, discounts, and educational resources. Cinnabon's annual tradition of offering free cinnamon rolls stood out as a particularly meaningful long-standing partnership with The DAISY Foundation. Restaurant chains like PDQ, Buffalo Wild Wings, Logan's Roadhouse, Mod Pizza, and Chipotle provided various food-related promotions ranging from percentage discounts to free items. Additionally, educational opportunities from OnCourse Learning and special events from Epic Travel Staffing contributed to a comprehensive recognition week.

These offers not only provided nurses with tangible benefits but also served as public acknowledgments of their critical role in healthcare. By presenting valid identification and being mindful of time limitations, nurses could maximize their participation in these promotions. As Nurses Week continues to be celebrated annually, both nurses and businesses can look forward to similar opportunities to express appreciation and recognition in future years.

Sources

1. Cinnabon Nurses Week Promotion
2. National Nurses Week 2018 Freebies and Discounts
3. Restaurants Offering Nurses Week Deals
4. Epic Travel Staffing Nurses Week Events