National Nurses Week 2025 Complete Guide To Restaurant Freebies And Discounts

National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6 to May 12, is a dedicated time to recognize the vital contributions nurses make to healthcare and society. During this period, numerous restaurants and retailers offer special discounts, free meals, and other perks as tokens of appreciation for nurses and healthcare professionals. This comprehensive guide details the available offers for Nurses Week 2025, including specific deals, eligibility requirements, and participation guidelines.

National Nurses Week Overview

National Nurses Week begins on May 6 each year and concludes on May 12, which marks Florence Nightingale's birthday. According to the American Nurses Enterprise, these permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses, which has since expanded into a full week of appreciation activities across the United States.

During Nurses Week 2025, many companies are stepping up with deals and freebies specifically for nurses and healthcare workers. These offers range from complimentary meals and beverages to discounts on apparel and other products. Participation may vary by location, and nurses are encouraged to verify with their local establishments before visiting.

Food and Beverage Deals

Numerous restaurant chains offer special deals during Nurses Week 2025, providing free meals, discounts, and complimentary items to healthcare professionals. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of available offers across different categories of establishments.

Fast Food Chains

Several fast-food establishments are participating in Nurses Week appreciation:

  • McDonald's: Offering one free any-size beverage per day to all active nurses who show valid healthcare IDs or nursing credentials at the counter or drive-through through May 12. The available beverages range from hot coffee to cold soft drinks.

  • Joella's Hot Chicken: Providing a free meal that includes two Jumbo Tenders, a dipping sauce, a Southern side, and a drink through May 9. This offer is available in-store only.

  • Logan's Roadhouse: Nurses can receive 20% off an entrée with a valid ID through May 12.

  • Gopuff: Offering a 10% discount on all orders delivered to hospitals from May 6-12.

Casual Dining Restaurants

Many casual dining establishments are showing appreciation for nurses with special offers:

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Offering a 20% discount on food items for any nurses who dine in or order meals to take home during Nurses Week.

  • Applebee's: In previous years, Applebee's has served free appetizers to nurses who show a valid work badge during Nurses Week. While not confirmed for 2025, this fan favorite may return.

  • Subway: Participating in Nurses Week with discounts and free goodies, though specific details were not provided in the source material.

  • Milio's: Offering Nurses Week discounts and free goodies, though specific details were not provided in the source material.

  • Johnny Rockets: Providing a free milkshake with any purchase during Nurses Week.

Coffee and Treat Shops

Several coffee shops and dessert establishments are participating:

  • Dunkin': Offering a free medium coffee on National Nurses Day (May 6) at participating locations. Nurses can choose either a hot or iced coffee and customize their beverage with blueberry or vanilla flavoring.

  • Scooter's Coffee: Providing a free medium drink of choice to nurses and healthcare workers on May 6, 2025.

  • Caribou Coffee: Offering a free medium drink on May 6, in-store only with valid ID. Additionally, Caribou Coffee is providing a 10% discount during Nurses Week.

  • Insomnia Cookies: Giving away a free classic cookie to nurses with valid ID in-store during Nurses Week.

  • Cinnabon: Typically offers a free classic roll to nurses who show a valid ID at participating locations during Nurses Week.

  • Potbelly: Offering a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée to all nurses through May 11. This offer is available in-shop only with ID.

  • McAlister's Deli: Providing free tea at locations nationwide for nurses who show their badge or ID through May 12.

Pizza and Casual Eateries

Several pizza and casual dining chains are participating:

  • Chipotle: Giving away 100,000 free burritos across the U.S. during Nurses Week. At the end of Nurses Week, winners will be selected at random and must verify their healthcare status before receiving a digital burrito card.

  • Mod Pizza: Offering buy-one-get-one pizza deals for nurses from May 5-8 in stores. Nurses may also receive free add-ons to their meals.

  • Sonny's BBQ: In previous years, Sonny's has offered nurses free BBQ sandwiches during select days of Nurses Week. Details for 2025 were not confirmed at the time of publication.

  • Zaxby's: Has offered BOGO deals for nurses through their app during Nurses Week in previous years. Details for 2025 were not confirmed at the time of publication.

Retail and Apparel Discounts

Beyond food and beverages, many retailers offer special discounts for nurses during Nurses Week and throughout the year.

Scrubs and Uniforms

Numerous scrub and uniform retailers offer Nurses Week discounts:

  • AllHeart: Providing up to 40% off scrubs and scrub accessories with this Nurse Week discount. The deals include well-loved brands such as Cherokee, MedCouture, Heartsoul, and more.

  • Care+Wear: Running exclusive discounts for healthcare workers during Nurses Week 2025.

  • Dickies: In previous years, Dickies has offered 20% discounts on their durable scrubs during Nurses Week. Details for 2025 were not confirmed at the time of publication.

  • FIGS, Cherokee Uniforms, All Seasons Uniforms, Moxie Scrubs, and Wink Scrubs: These brands typically offer Nurses Week discounts, though specific details for 2025 were not provided in the source material.

  • Jaanuu: Giving away 200 gift boxes during Nurses Week.

General Apparel and Accessories

Several general apparel brands offer nurse-specific discounts:

  • Carhartt, FIGS, Levi's, L.L. Bean, North Face, Lululemon: These brands offer year-round discounts for nurses and healthcare professionals.

  • Thrive Market: Providing a free annual membership to nurses after they verify their eligibility through ID.me. Members receive access to Thrive's online catalog of products that can be delivered right to their door.

Footwear

  • Good Feet Store: Offering Nurses Week freebies like free socks or slip-on shoes.

How to Access These Offers

Required Identification

Most restaurant and retail offers for Nurses Week require valid identification to verify nursing status or healthcare employment. Common forms of accepted ID include:

  • Nursing badges or work IDs
  • Professional nursing credentials
  • Healthcare facility identification cards

Nurses should ensure they have appropriate identification when visiting participating establishments to take advantage of these offers.

Verification Methods

Some offers require additional verification beyond showing an ID:

  • Chipotle's free burritos: Winners are selected at random and must verify their healthcare status after Nurses Week to receive a digital burrito card.

  • Thrive Market: Requires verification through ID.me to receive a free annual membership.

Location-Specific Participation

Not all locations within a chain may participate in Nurses Week specials. The source documents specifically note that participation may vary by location, and nurses should:

  • Check with their local establishments before visiting
  • Ask before ordering to confirm participation
  • Be aware that some offers may be limited to specific regions or individual franchise locations

Year-Round Benefits for Nurses

Beyond Nurses Week, several resources provide ongoing discounts and benefits for healthcare professionals:

  • ID.me's Nurse Marketplace: Nurses can sign up for free to unlock exclusive discounts on apparel, electronics, travel, wellness, and more. Registration requires verifying credentials, but provides instant access to hundreds of offers specifically for nurses without requiring coupon clipping.

  • Brand-specific year-round discounts: Many of the companies that offer Nurses Week deals also provide ongoing discounts for nurses throughout the year, including Carhartt, FIGS, Levi's, L.L. Bean, North Face, and Lululemon.

Tips for Maximizing Nurses Week Offers

To make the most of Nurses Week 2025 offers, nurses may consider the following strategies:

  1. Plan ahead: Make a list of desired offers and note their dates and requirements.

  2. Verify participation: Call ahead or check websites to confirm local participation, as offers may vary by location.

  3. Bring proper identification: Ensure nursing badges or credentials are readily available when visiting participating establishments.

  4. Combine offers when possible: Some offers may be combinable with existing promotions or loyalty programs.

  5. Share information: Coordinate with colleagues to maximize coverage of different offers throughout the week.

  6. Check for updates: Some offers may be added closer to Nurses Week, so checking websites or social media pages for updates is recommended.

Conclusion

National Nurses Week 2025 presents numerous opportunities for nurses to enjoy complimentary meals, discounts, and other perks as tokens of appreciation for their essential work. From free coffee and meals to discounts on professional apparel and footwear, healthcare professionals can find numerous ways to celebrate during May 6-12. While participation may vary by location, and some offers are subject to change, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of available options based on current information. Nurses are encouraged to verify details with local establishments and bring appropriate identification to take advantage of these special offers. The widespread participation of restaurants and retailers underscores the recognition of nurses' critical contributions to healthcare and society.

Sources

  1. Nurse appreciation deals. Find free meals and drinks at Indiana restaurants
  2. Everywhere Nurses Can Get Free Food and Discounts for National Nurse's Week
  3. 40 Nurses Week Freebies, Discounts and Deals
  4. National Nurses Week 2025 Discounts and Giveaways
  5. Nurses Week 2025 Discounts
  6. Celebrate nurses with National Nurses Week 2025: Where to get deals, free food, discounts