Each May, Nurses Week allows us to honor the invaluable contributions nurses make in our country.
National Nurses Week showcases the dedication, compassion, and expertise nurses bring to their jobs and acknowledges the vital role they play in healthcare.
Whether you’re curious about when Nurses Week is, you’re looking for nurse discounts and gift ideas, or you want to learn about the history of the annual event, read on for a guide to all things Nurses Week 2023.
When Is Nurses Week in 2023?
National Nurses Week is May 6-12.
The National Nurses Week dates are the same every year, concluding on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. The famed “Lady of the Lamp” and founder of modern nursing was born on May 12, 1820.
With set dates, nursing organizations, employers, and retailers can plan in advance for Nurses Week. While the week-long event is dedicated to all nurses, there are a few days recognizing specific nurses throughout the week:
May 6: National Nurses Day
May 8: National Student Nurses Day
May 10: National School Nurse Day
May 12: International Nurses Day, Florence Nightingale’s birthday
History of National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week dates back to 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland, a U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare representative proposed a National Nurse Day to President Eisenhower.
While the president never formally proclaimed Nurses Day, the first National Nurses Week was celebrated in October of the following year, on the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s Crimean mission.
In 1974, the International Council of Nurses declared May 12—Nightingale’s birthday—as International Nurse Day. That year, President Nixon proclaimed there would be a National Nurses Week in February.
Through several efforts over the next decade, politicians and nursing organizations rallied together to advocate for more recognition for nurses.
By 1982, President Reagan proclaimed May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses,” the same year the American Nurses Association (ANA) formalized May 6 as “National Nurses Day.”
In 1990, the ANA expanded Nurses Day into Nurses Week, setting the dates of May 6-12 in stone in 1993. Today, the entire month of May is generally considered to be Nurses Month.
A lot of retailers, resorts, and restaurants offer exclusive Nurses Week deals and freebies. For example, Crocs and FIGS joined forces to giveaway a bundle of 10,000 free pairs of scrubs and Crocs for Nurses Week in 2022.
Many businesses offer discounted rates, free shipping, and other promotions to nurses in May.
Here are some of the Nurse’s Week discounts you can take advantage of this year:
Bayada: Bayada is offering a $7,000 room makeover giveaway. You can read about the terms and conditions and enter to win here.
Chick-Fil-A: While doesn’t offer a national Nurses Week freebie, some of its locations do. Check with your local Chick-Fil-A to see if anything is being offered.
Chipotle: You can enter for a chance to win a free burrito care package for your team this Nurses Week. Entries are open through May 12.
Crocs: Crocs announced that can get 20% off at Crocs retail stores through May 12 and get 25% off online purchases for the month of May. You can also enter your favorite nurse for a Crocs giveaway between May 7 and May 9. Seven winning nurses will get 10,000 pairs of Crocs, socks, and Jibbitz for their whole healthcare facility.
Dunkin: You can get a free medium hot or iced coffee from some Dunkin locations on May 6th in honor of Nurses Day.
Firehouse Subs: This Nurses Day, you can enjoy a free medium sub from Firehouse Subs when you purchase another medium or large sub with chips and a drink by sharing your ID at checkout May 6-7.
Insomnia Cookies: Nurses can get a free 6-pack of cookies from Insomnia Cookies with a $5 in-store purchase and nurse ID.
McAlister’s Deli: McAlister’s Deli is offering a free 32 oz tea to nurses and teachers May 3-10 at some of its locations. Just show a valid medical ID.
MOD Pizza: For Nurses Week, MOD Pizza is offering BOGO on Mod-sized pizzas and salad on May 9 with ID.
Sonny’s BBQ: Sonny’s BBQ is offering nurses a free Pork Big Deal, which includes a pork sandwich, side, and soft drink, on May 8-9. You can sign up here for your free coupon code.
There are also dozens of year-round discounts for nurses, which we keep a regularly updated list of here at The Nurse’s Purse.
There are a lot of great ideas for celebrating the nurses in your life during Nurses Week. Here are some of our favorites:
Thank you note: Writing a heartfelt thank you note or letter is a meaningful way to say thanks to a nurse and remind them of the impact they’ve had on your life, whether it’s a loved one or a nurse who cared lovingly for your family.
Meal: This is another simple gesture to show your appreciation. You can take your nurse friend or relative out to lunch, give them a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or send a DoorDash or Uber Eats card.
Spa day: Nursing is a tireless profession, and a massage or facial could be just the gift to give a nurse who needs a little R&R for Nurses Week.
Subscriptions: Want to give a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year? Consider gifting a nurse with a subscription that fits their interests. It could be anything from specialty nurse subscription boxes to streaming services, wine delivery, or meal kits.
Gifts: There are endless gifts out there for nurses, from scrubs and shoes to accessories, home decor, water bottles, and self-care gifts. Think of your favorite nurse’s interests, style, and what they could use most, and check out our nurse gift ideas below.
Team celebration: If you’re a healthcare administrator or a manager, you should also use Nurses Week as an opportunity to honor your team. You could cater a meal for your office or hospital unit, send letters to your staff, or even give out awards to recognize individual team members.
Nurses Week Gifts
Here are a few of our favorite gifts for Nurses Week. You can check out our full round-up of highly reviewed nurse gift ideas for more inspiration.
National Nurses Day is held on May 6 because it kicks off National Nurses Week, which ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12.
Who celebrates Nurses Week?
Each year, hospitals, doctors’ offices, academic institutions, national and local businesses, and families and friends celebrate Nurses Week with gifts, events, discounts, and freebies for nurses.
Who has Nurses Week discounts?
Dozens of businesses offer discounts during Nurses Week, such as Applebees, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Erin Condren, Insomnia Cookies, Skechers, and Jaanuu. Other brands host giveaway drawings throughout the week.
Can nurses accept gifts?
It depends. While small or symbolic gifts are generally okay to accept from patients, lavish or monetary gifts could be an ethical issue. In one NCBI article, Dr. Yusrita Zolkefli recommends putting gifts through ethical scrutiny by disclosing them to your employer or declining gifts you’re unsure about.
Why Nurse Appreciation Week Matters
Nurses are integral to society, and they don’t always get the thanks they deserve. Nurses’ empathy, wisdom, persistence, and care should be recognized, and Nurses Week is an awesome opportunity to express your gratitude.
If you’re a nurse, we’re so thankful for all that you do. If you’ve been positively impacted by a nurse, take advantage of some of the ideas in this post to honor a nurse in your life. Happy Nurses Week!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. This doesn’t influence our recommendations.
Parker King is the founder of The Nurse’s Purse, born into a proud family of nurses. She is an experienced personal finance writer with a passion for helping healthcare workers and their families live their best lives.
Best Nurse Discounts and Freebies of 2023