Florida Nurses Week 2018 Complete Guide To Free Meals Discounts And Appreciation Offers

National Nurses Week 2018, celebrated from May 6-12, provided an opportunity for businesses across Florida to show appreciation to healthcare professionals with special offers and discounts. This guide compiles the verified freebies and deals available to nurses throughout the state during this appreciation period, based on official announcements from participating businesses.

Food and Dining Offers

Florida restaurants and food establishments demonstrated significant appreciation for nurses during Nurses Week 2018 with numerous complimentary items and discounts. Participation requirements generally involved showing a valid nursing ID, though specific offers varied by location.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon extended a sweet appreciation to nurses throughout Nurses Week 2018. From Sunday through May 12, nurses could receive one free Cinnabon Classic Roll, MiniBon Roll, or a four-count BonBites when they presented their badge at participating locations. This partnership with the DAISY Foundation aimed to recognize the exceptional work nurses perform for patients and families, with the company noting their pride in supporting nurses during this annual celebration.

The offer was available at Cinnabon bakeries internationally, though participation may have varied by specific location. Nurses were encouraged to verify with their local bakery to confirm availability before visiting.

PDQ Restaurants

PDQ Restaurants provided one of the most substantial offers during Nurses Week 2018. On Tuesday, May 8, nurses and teachers received 50 percent off their entire check all day long with a valid ID. The company announced this appreciation offer through multiple channels, including social media posts confirming the discount would be available at all locations on that specific date.

The offer applied to the total check, making it a valuable opportunity for nurses to enjoy a complete meal at significant savings. As with many location-specific promotions, nurses were advised to confirm participation with their nearest PDQ location, though the company's social media presence suggested the offer was widely available across their Florida establishments.

Blaze Pizza

Five South Florida locations participated in Nurses Week appreciation by offering nurses with valid ID a $5 Build-Your-Own pizza. Participating locations included Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach, though the specific days of availability varied by location. Blaze Pizza's offer provided an affordable dining option for nurses during the appreciation week.

Nurses interested in this offer were encouraged to contact their nearest location directly to confirm participation and availability during their preferred visit times.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A locations in Florida demonstrated appreciation for nurses through location-specific offers. The Indian River Mall restaurant provided nurses with IDs free eight-count nuggets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8. Meanwhile, the standalone Vero Beach location offered nurses with IDs a free chicken biscuit for breakfast or chicken sandwich for lunch.

These offers were not part of a nationwide promotion, highlighting how individual franchise locations created their own appreciation gestures. Nurses were advised to check with their local Chick-fil-A location to determine what specific offers, if any, were available during Nurses Week.

American Icon Brewery

American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach extended appreciation to nurses by offering 15 percent off the bill to nurses who brought their badges through the end of the week. This offer provided nurses an opportunity to unwind after work while enjoying a discount on their beverages.

The brewery's participation demonstrated how businesses beyond traditional restaurants participated in Nurses Week appreciation, offering nurses a relaxed environment to enjoy their discounts.

Hop Life Brewing Co.

Hop Life Brewing Co. in Port St. Lucie showed appreciation to nurses by offering one free pint of beer to nurses who presented their work ID from Tuesday through Thursday. This multi-day promotion gave nurses flexibility in when they could redeem their offer.

The brewery's participation reflected a growing trend of craft establishments recognizing healthcare professionals during appreciation weeks, providing nurses with social spaces to enjoy their recognition.

Chipotle

While Chipotle did not participate in Nurses Week 2018 with an immediate offer, the company announced a future appreciation event for nurses. Nurses with work IDs could look forward to a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos on June 5, 2018.

This upcoming promotion, though outside Nurses Week, demonstrated Chipotle's commitment to recognizing nurses' contributions, giving them something to anticipate after the official appreciation period concluded.

Planet Smoothie

In the Tampa Bay area, Planet Smoothie offered teachers and school faculty members a free 16 oz. Planet Favorite, Planet Lite™, or Energy smoothie on Tuesday, May 8, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a valid ID. While primarily marketed to educators, this offer was also available to nurses in honor of National Nurses Week.

The healthy beverage option provided nurses with a refreshing alternative to traditional meal discounts, aligning with wellness-oriented appreciation gestures.

Culver's

Culver's restaurants did not implement a nationwide Nurses Week promotion, but individual Florida locations may have offered specials throughout the week for nurses with valid ID. Participation was highly location-dependent, with some restaurants posting specials on their location details pages at www.culvers.com.

Nurses interested in Culver's offerings were encouraged to call their closest location directly or check the company's website for location-specific information about any Nurses Week appreciation deals.

Retail and Shopping Discounts

Beyond food and dining, several retail establishments extended appreciation to nurses through special discounts during Nurses Week 2018.

New York & Company

New York & Company offered nurses a 15% discount in-store year-round, not limited to Nurses Week. This consistent appreciation gesture allowed nurses to enjoy savings on clothing purchases whenever they shopped at the retailer.

The year-round nature of this discount provided ongoing value to nurses rather than a one-time benefit during the appreciation week, reflecting the company's sustained commitment to recognizing healthcare professionals.

Travel and Hospitality Offers

Florida's tourism industry participated in Nurses Week appreciation with special rates and recognition programs for healthcare professionals.

Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort

Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando advertised discounts for nurses year-round. 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.

The resort's year-round program provided nurses with opportunities to plan vacations at reduced rates whenever their schedules permitted. When making reservations, nurses needed to mention their professional status to access these special rates.

This offer applied not only to nurses but also to educators, military personnel, and government workers, demonstrating the resort's broad appreciation for essential professionals.

Educational Resources

Amazon Free Nursing Kindle Books

Amazon offered free nursing Kindle books as part of Nurses Week appreciation. This digital resource provided nurses with valuable educational materials and professional development opportunities at no cost.

The availability of free digital content reflected how technology companies participated in Nurses Week recognition, offering resources that could support nurses' continuing education and professional growth.

Tips for Nurses Seeking Appreciation Offers

1. Always Carry Valid ID: Nearly all offers required nurses to present valid identification confirming their professional status. This included work badges, employee IDs, or other official documentation.

2. Verify Participation: Many offers were not nationwide and varied by location. Before visiting, nurses were advised to confirm participation by calling locations directly or checking official social media channels.

3. Check Operating Hours: Some offers were time-limited to specific hours during the day. Nurses needed to plan their visits accordingly to ensure they could take advantage of the discounts.

4. Understand Offer Limitations: Some offers had restrictions, such as minimum purchase requirements or limitations on menu items. Understanding these details before visiting helped avoid disappointment.

5. Consider Combining Offers: In some cases, nurses could combine appreciation offers with existing promotions, though this varied by establishment and specific terms.

Conclusion

National Nurses Week 2018 provided numerous opportunities for Florida nurses to enjoy recognition through free meals, discounts, and special offers. From complimentary cinnamon rolls at Cinnabon to significant discounts at PDQ restaurants, healthcare professionals had multiple ways to celebrate their profession during this appreciation period.

While many offers were specifically tied to Nurses Week (May 6-12), some businesses provided year-round benefits like New York & Company's 15% discount and Disney World's special rates. The variety of participating establishments demonstrated the broad recognition nurses received across different industries.

For future appreciation periods, nurses should be prepared to present valid identification and verify participation with individual locations, as offers often varied by franchise or regional availability. By taking advantage of these opportunities, nurses could enjoy both immediate appreciation and ongoing recognition for their essential work.

Sources

1. Nurses Week 2018 Freebies: 5 Places to Get Free Food, Discounts Starting May 6
2. Nursing Week Freebies 2018-19
3. Restaurants showing teachers, nurses appreciation
4. National Teacher Appreciation Week 2018: Where teachers can get freebies and deals
5. Thank you nurses: Check out these freebies to help you celebrate National Nurses Week 2018