National Nurses Week 2018 Special Offers And Freebies For Healthcare Professionals

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6-12, presents numerous opportunities for healthcare professionals to enjoy appreciation through special offers, discounts, and freebies. While specific offers for Virginia Beach are not detailed in the available sources, many national and regional businesses extend special deals to nurses during this week. This article explores the various offers available during Nurses Week 2018, including food and beverage promotions, retail discounts, educational opportunities, and methods for discovering local specials.

Food and Beverage Offers

Nurses Week typically features numerous food and beverage promotions, with many establishments offering free items, discounts, or special deals specifically for healthcare professionals. These offers often require presentation of a valid nursing ID badge or wearing scrubs as proof of profession.

Free Coffee and Morning Treats

Several coffee shops and bakeries extend free coffee to nurses during Nurses Week. In Pearland, Texas (Houston suburbs), Pearland Coffee offered free coffee to both teachers and nurses who presented their work badge or stethoscope. Kolache Factory in Omaha, Nebraska, owned by a husband and wife team who are both Registered Nurses, also provided free coffee to nursing professionals.

Cinnabon maintained its annual tradition of offering a free Cinnabon Classic Roll, MiniBon Roll, or four-count of BonBites to any healthcare professional presenting their medical ID badge at any location throughout the week.

Restaurant Discounts and Specials

Multiple restaurant chains offered location-specific discounts during Nurses Week 2018. The availability of these offers often varied by location, with some participating locations requiring valid identification.

In the Richmond, Virginia area, Sugar Shack Donuts provided a different freebie action for nurses and teachers each day, while offering 30% off the bill for nurses and teachers throughout the week at all its locations in the greater Richmond area.

Catherine Rooney's in Wilmington, Delaware extended a 20% discount on all regular menu items to nurses and nursing students who presented their badge or student ID. Similarly, the Lincolnville, Maine Lobster Pound offered nurses 20% off their checks from May 8-11.

The Pizza Pie Cafe in Boise, Idaho provided nurses with 15% off the buffet when they showed their badge, with this offer expiring on May 12, 2018.

Fast Food and Casual Dining Offers

Some fast-food chains offered specific deals for nurses during Nurses Week. Chick-fil-A locations in Jefferson City, Missouri provided a free Chicken Sandwich with the purchase of a medium side item and drink, available on Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with valid ID.

Zaxby's offered location-specific deals, with some locations in Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana providing 15% off everything with valid nurse ID.

Jimboy's Tacos, operating in California and Reno, Nevada, offered a "buy one, get one free" deal on Original Ground Beef Tacos for nurses with valid employee ID through May 12.

Unique Dining Experiences

Some restaurants created special experiences for nurses during Nurses Week. The Melting Pot in Austin, Texas allowed one nurse or nursing student ID to provide the entire table with a discounted four-course menu for $29.95.

Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks in Boston, Massachusetts extended its 50% employee food discount to all nurses who showed their employee ID badge during breakfast hours from 7am-10am through Saturday, May 12.

MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub in Bismarck, North Dakota gave nurses 50% off all appetizers throughout the week with presentation of ID. Similarly, Murph's Beef & Ale in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware offered half-priced menu appetizers Tuesday through Friday with nursing ID.

Beverage Specials

Some establishments focused on drink specials for nurses. The Factotum Brewhouse in Denver, Colorado offered free beer through May 11, allowing nursing professionals to receive a second tap beer free with badge presentation and a friend.

Area 23, a craft brew pub in Concord, New Hampshire, provided 25% off all food orders on May 10 with badge presentation or wearing scrubs.

Dessert Treats

Several dessert shops participated in Nurses Week appreciation. Smiley's Ice Cream in Mount Crawford, Virginia offered nurses a free scoop of ice cream on Friday. Rita's Italian Ice in Warrington, Pennsylvania provided free Italian Ice or Custard Cone/Cup on Friday from 12pm to 9pm with ID presentation.

Cold Stone Creamery in Evanston, Illinois (Greater Chicago area) offered nurses 25% off their orders when they presented their ID at checkout from May 7-11.

Retail and Merchandise Discounts

Nurses Week also brings special deals from retailers, particularly those specializing in medical apparel and accessories.

Scrub and Medical Apparel Retailers

Nearly every retailer of scrubs offered special deals during Nurses Week. While specific deals varied by retailer, the week typically featured sales, discounts, or special promotions on nursing uniforms, shoes, and accessories. These offers were available both in-store and often through online retailers.

Many scrub retailers extended their sales through the entire week, with some offering percentage discounts across the board while others provided special pricing on specific items or categories.

Educational Resources and Opportunities

Nurses Week also presented opportunities for professional development and educational advancement through special offers and scholarships.

Scholarships and Educational Discounts

NurseRecruiter.com offered two full-tuition scholarships for an RN-to-BSN and an MSN in the FlexPath format. Applicants who met all eligibility requirements but did not win the scholarships could still receive a 50% session discount.

Professional Publications and Subscriptions

American Nurse Today, the official journal of the American Nurses Association, offered a free 6-month digital subscription during Nurses Week, along with a chance to win a $100 gift card.

The American Journal of Nursing made its May issue available to read online for free during Nurses Week.

Professional Recognition Awards

The BestNursingDegree "Nurse of the Year" Award provided an opportunity for nurses to be recognized for their innovation, influence, or inspiration. Both winning nurses and those who nominated them received a $50 gift card. The deadline for nominations was 5 p.m. PST on May 11, 2018.

How to Find Local Offers

Since many Nurses Week offers are location-specific, healthcare professionals may need to take proactive steps to discover available deals in their area.

Social Media Searches

The NurseRecruiter.com blog recommended conducting Facebook or Twitter searches to find local businesses offering Nurses Week deals. From Austin, Texas to Lincolnville, Maine, many local establishments created special promotions that might not be widely advertised.

Direct Inquiries with Local Businesses

Given that participation varies by location, direct inquiries with local restaurants, retailers, and service providers can uncover additional offers not widely publicized.

Checking with Employers

Some healthcare facilities coordinate special appreciation events or provide information about local Nurses Week deals for their staff.

Limited Time Promotions and Contests

Several businesses used Nurses Week as an opportunity to run special promotions and contests.

Free Pizza Giveaway

NurseRecruiter.com maintained its tradition of sending free pizza lunches or dinners to nursing teams throughout Nurses Week. The company selected two lucky nursing teams each day, with participants required to follow NurseRecruiter.com on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and respond to daily pizza posts explaining why their team deserved free pizza.

Chipotle Promotion

While Chipotle's Nurses Week offer mentioned in the sources appears to be from a different year (2025), the company has a history of supporting healthcare professionals. According to available information, Chipotle has given $16 million in free food to educators and medical professionals since 2016, utilizing its Round-Up for Real Change feature to support organizations like the Kids In Need Foundation and American Nurses Foundation.

Conclusion

National Nurses Week 2018 provided numerous opportunities for healthcare professionals to enjoy appreciation through special offers, discounts, and freebies across food service, retail, education, and professional recognition. While specific offers for Virginia Beach are not detailed in the available sources, nurses in the area could likely find local promotions by checking with businesses directly or searching social media platforms.

The offers varied by location and establishment, with some requiring valid ID while others were more broadly available. Healthcare professionals interested in taking advantage of these deals were encouraged to act promptly, as many offers had specific expiration dates or limited availability.

For the most current and location-specific information, nurses were advised to check directly with businesses in their area and follow relevant social media accounts for last-minute deals and promotions. Additionally, professional organizations often provide updated information about special offers and recognition events during Nurses Week.

Sources

1. NurseRecruiter.com - Make the Most of Nurses Week: Check Out These Special Offers You Can Still Use
2. USA Today - Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 deals: Free food, discounts for educators