Nurses Week 2024 Freebies And Discounts Ohio Guide To Appreciation Offers

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6 to May 12, provides an opportunity for businesses across the United States to show appreciation for healthcare professionals through special offers, discounts, and free items. In Ohio, nurses have access to numerous deals during this recognition period, with several chain restaurants and retailers participating in the appreciation events. This article details the available Nurses Week 2024 freebies and discounts in Ohio, focusing on food and beverage establishments, professional attire retailers, healthcare discounts, and other special offers available to nurses during this important week.

Background on National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week has a formal history dating back to the 1970s. According to historical information from American Nurses Association records, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation in February 1974, acknowledging the importance of nursing. In February 1982, the ANA board of directors formally recognized May 6 as National Nurses Day, which President Ronald Reagan later proclaimed as "National Recognition Day for Nurses." The permanent dates for National Nurses Week were established in 1993 as May 6-12, beginning in 1994. The week concludes on May 12, which is both Florence Nightingale's birthday and International Nurses Day, an observation codified by the International Council of Nurses in January 1974.

Food and Beverage Offers in Ohio

Ohio nurses have access to numerous food and beverage discounts during National Nurses Week 2024. Several national chains with Ohio locations participate in these appreciation events.

Coffee and Quick Service Restaurants

  • Dunkin': Nurses received a free medium hot or iced coffee on May 6, 2024, with no purchase necessary at select locations. This offer excluded Frozen Coffee, Cold Brew, and Nitro Cold Brew beverages. Dunkin' has numerous locations throughout Ohio, making this accessible to many nurses in the state.

  • Smoothie King: This establishment offered $2 off orders for Rewards members, including nurses, on May 6-7, 2024, using the code THANKS2024. Notably, this offer could be used an unlimited number of times over the two-day period. Smoothie King has multiple locations in Ohio, including seven in Columbus and five in Cincinnati, providing convenient access for nurses in these major metropolitan areas.

Casual Dining Restaurants

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Participating locations offered nurses a 20% discount on all dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders from May 6-12, 2024, with valid identification. This popular chain has numerous Ohio locations, making this discount widely available across the state.

  • Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Nurses received a 20% discount on all orders with valid ID from May 6-12, 2024. While specific Ohio locations weren't mentioned in the source material, this chain has establishments in the state.

  • BurgerFi: Similar to Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, BurgerFi offered nurses a 20% discount on all orders with valid ID during the entire Nurses Week period (May 6-12, 2024). BurgerFi has multiple locations throughout Ohio.

  • Applebee's: Select Applebee's locations in Ohio offered free appetizers with any entrée purchase to nurses who showed a valid work badge during Nurses Week 2024, with the offer extending through May 10th at participating locations.

Other Food Establishments

  • McAlister's Deli: Nurses received a free tea from May 6-12, 2024, with valid ID. McAlister's has numerous Ohio locations, making this offer accessible to many nurses.

  • Auntie Anne's: Perks members received BOGO pretzels through the website or app from May 6-8, 2024. Auntie Anne's operates in Ohio shopping malls and other locations.

  • Cinnabon: Nurses received a free Classic Cinnamon Roll or Minibon at participating locations during Nurses Week 2024. Cinnabon has several Ohio locations, primarily in shopping malls and transportation centers.

  • Firehouse Subs: Nurses could access weekly deals through the rewards program, including BOGO Hook & Ladder Subs on Wednesdays. Firehouse Subs has multiple Ohio locations.

  • Zaxby's: In previous years, Zaxby's offered BOGO deals for nurses through their app during Nurses Week. While specific 2024 details weren't provided, nurses in Ohio could check the website and mobile app for current offers.

  • Sonny's BBQ: In 2024, Sonny's offered nurses free BBQ sandwiches during select days of Nurses Week. Nurses in Ohio could visit the restaurant's website to learn more about specific offers at their local locations.

Professional Attire and Healthcare Discounts

Nurses often need specialized clothing and equipment for their work, and several retailers offer discounts during Nurses Week 2024.

Scrubs and Professional Attire

  • AllHeart: Nurses received up to 40% off scrubs and scrub accessories during Nurses Week 2024. This discount applied to well-loved brands including Cherokee, MedCouture, Heartsoul, and others. AllHeart offers online shopping, making it accessible to nurses throughout Ohio.

  • Care+Wear: This retailer offered exclusive discounts for healthcare workers during Nurses Week 2024. Nurses could visit their website to learn more about specific offers.

  • Dickies: In previous years, Dickies offered 20% discounts on their durable scrubs during Nurses Week. While specific 2024 details weren't provided, nurses could check the website for current offers.

  • Create Amor: Nurses received 25% off orders for scrubs using the code NURSE25 through June 7, 2024. Additionally, $1 per set (top and bottom) was donated to the American Nurses Foundation, and the company donated 100% of proceeds from each Iris Five Pocket Top sold directly to the foundation.

Healthcare Equipment and Supplies

Several retailers specializing in healthcare equipment and supplies offered Nurses Week discounts in 2024:

  • Stethoscopes and Medical Equipment: Various retailers offered discounts on stethoscopes and other medical equipment during Nurses Week. Specific retailers weren't detailed in the source material, but nurses could check with medical supply companies.

  • Thrive Market: Nurses could receive a free annual membership to Thrive Market, an online grocery store, after verifying their eligibility through ID.me. This membership provided access to Thrive's catalog of products that could be delivered directly to their homes.

Year-Round Healthcare Discounts

Some companies offer healthcare discounts year-round, which nurses can take advantage of during Nurses Week and beyond:

  • Buzz E-Bikes and Huffy Bicycles: Both United Wheels-owned companies offered nurses 20% off online purchases year-round when verifying their ID.me at checkout. This discount applied to all Ohio locations.

Special Offers and Giveaways

Beyond standard discounts, several companies offered special Nurses Week giveaways and promotions in 2024.

  • Chipotle: Nurses could register to win a free burrito online. Teachers and healthcare professionals who successfully verified their employment status within 48 hours received a free entrée e-card. Winners were notified starting the week of May 13, 2024. Verification was required through ID.me to enter the contest.

  • Vivian Health and ResortPass: While this appears to be a 2025 promotion based on the source material, Vivian Health partnered with ResortPass to offer nurses daycation credits at local hotels or resorts. One winner received $500 in daycation credits, and two additional winners got $250 in credits. The first 100 entrants received 10% off their first ResortPass booking.

How to Access These Offers

To take advantage of Nurses Week 2024 offers in Ohio, nurses typically needed to follow these steps:

  1. Bring Valid Identification: Most offers required nurses to present valid work identification, such as a nursing license or hospital ID badge.

  2. Check Participating Locations: Not all locations within a chain may participate in Nurses Week offers. It was important to verify specific participation with individual locations.

  3. Use Promotional Codes: For online or app-based offers, specific promotional codes were often required. These included:

    • Dunkin': No code needed for in-store pickup on May 6
    • Smoothie King: THANKS2024 for May 6-7
    • Create Amor: NURSE25 for scrubs
  4. Verify Employment Status: Some offers required verification through ID.me or similar platforms to confirm employment as a healthcare professional.

  5. Check Company Websites: Many companies updated their websites with specific Nurses Week offers. Nurses were encouraged to check these sites for the most current information.

Tips for Maximizing Nurses Week Benefits

To make the most of Nurses Week 2024 in Ohio:

  • Plan Ahead: Some offers were time-sensitive or limited to specific dates within the week.

  • Combine Offers: Some nurses strategically planned their shopping and dining to take advantage of multiple offers during the week.

  • Share with Colleagues: Nurses often shared information about offers with colleagues to ensure everyone could benefit.

  • Check for Extended Offers: Some companies extended their Nurses Week discounts beyond the official May 6-12 period.

  • Verify Details: As offers could change, it was important to verify current details directly with participating businesses.

Conclusion

National Nurses Week 2024 provided numerous opportunities for Ohio nurses to receive appreciation through free items, discounts, and special offers. From complimentary coffee and meals to discounts on professional attire and healthcare supplies, businesses across the state showed their gratitude for nursing professionals' essential work. While many offers were available during the official May 6-12 period, some extended beyond these dates or were available year-round with proper verification. Nurses in Ohio had access to numerous national chains with local locations, making these offers widely accessible. By planning ahead and bringing proper identification, nurses could maximize these benefits and enjoy well-deserved recognition during Nurses Week 2024.

Sources

  1. PRN Healthcare: Nurses Week 2024 Discounts and Freebies
  2. USA TODAY: National Nurses Week 2024 Freebies, Deals and Discounts
  3. The Columbus Dispatch: National Nurses Week Started with Free Dunk' and Other Deals
  4. IntelyCare: 40+ Nurses Week 2025 Freebies, Discounts, and Deals
  5. Nurse.org: 100+ Nurse Deals, Discounts and Freebies 2025
  6. Vivian Health: Nurses Week Freebies