Nurses across the country will be honored May 6-12 during National Nurses Week, with many businesses and corporations – local and afar – offering specials to express thanks to the caretakers who ensure our safety and well being.

President Richard Nixon started National Nurses Week in 1974. The special week always ends May 12 on Florence Nightingale’s birth date.

Nightingale became famous in the 1800s by recognizing during the Crimean War how sanitary conditions could lead to better results for patients. She and other nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital and reduced the death count by two-thirds. That’s why International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 of every year.

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted just what an important job nurses do. Businesses, restaurants and other entities seek to celebrate nurses with special offers, freebies and discounts.

The following list to get you (or a loved one) started includes specials for nurses during their week of honor, but it’s important to remember to verify first that the specials are still in effect.

Also, there are bound to be more local opportunities not listed here. It never hurts to ask when you go into a business – they just might surprise you.

• Applebee’s provides in-person nurses with a verifiable ID a free appetizer with any entree purchase through May 15. However, each Applebee’s franchise may offer something different or extra. Call toll-free at 888-592-7753 to see. The closest location is in McComb.
• Chipotle is giving 2,000 health care professionals free burritos for a year through nomination by tagging the nurse on Chiptoel’s official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Deadline is May 6 and winners will be notified through direct messages. The nearest is in Starkville.
• Great American Cookies is giving a free Original Chocolate Chip Cookie through May 6 with any purchase and valid ID. You’ll find locations near Jackson and the Gulf Coast.
• Marble Slab Creamery will give nurses a buy-one-get-one-free small ice cream through May 6 with a valid ID. The closest is in Hattiesburg.
• Zaxby’s offers a buy-on-get-one deal for its Boneless Wings Meal today, May 3, only, while supplies last. This deal can be redeemed in-person or on online orders. Order two and the second will be discounted at pick it up.
• Samsung gives health care professionals and first responders a cracked screen repair for $49.99 on select devices. Eligible customers also receive a $20 ecoupon to use on Samsung.com after their repair is complete.
• Adidas honors first responders, nurses, military members and teacherswith 30 percent off at adidas.com and in-store or 20 percent off at factory outlet stores. Must verify via ID.me.
• All Seasons offers 20 percent off nursing scrubs and medical uniforms with code NURSES20. Visit www.allseasonsuniforms.com.
• Amazon offers free books for nurses. In celebration of National Nurses Day, they are offering four medical drama books to read with “Prime Reading” on a Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets and the free Kindle app for iOS, Android, Mac and PC.
• Get 25 percent off at Carharttwith me. It’s also good for military and first responders.
• Checker’s and Rally’s will give a free meal to uniformed nurses at any
• McDonalds is offering free food for healthcare workers throughout the pandemic.
• Disney World has special discounts for nurses at the Swan and Dolphins resorts.  Call 800-227-1500 and remember to tell them you are a nurse.
• Starting May 10, Crocs is giving away a 10,000 pairs of CROCS AT WORK™to health care workers. Visit https://www.crocs.com/COVID19-REQUEST.html.
• Sketchers nurses and essential workers get 30 percent off shoes, free shipping and free returns through May 31. Visit https://bit.ly/38LqZwa.
• Use code THANKS at Fields to get 25 percent off a Nurses Week cookie.
• Save 50 percent on floral deliveries through the end of June by calling 1-800-Flowers.
• Join the University of Mississippi Medical Center in honoring nurses who work tirelessly to save lives and build a healthier future for us all. Visit umc.edu/Office_of_Development/Nurses-Week.html.
• The Mississippi Nurses’ Association and First Responders of Mississippi partnered to offer Thriving & Surviving, a series of mini-webinars designed to provide quick and useful tips on exercise, reducing stress, promoting wellness and navigating the pandemic with your family. The next is set for May 5. Visit https://www.msnurses.org/resources/news/for more information.