AURORA, Colo. — HCA HealthONE Aurora is celebrating National Nurses Week by bringing snack carts to each of the nursing stations around the hospital. National Nurses Week runs from May 6 through May 12, 2025, and aims to honor the hard work and dedication of nurses across the country. The nursing teams at HCA HealthONE Aurora go above and beyond, with some even making their patients handmade gifts to ensure their comfort during difficult times.
“Nurses show up in the moments of crisis and in the small moments that show the care for our patients,” said Kyle Dahm, associate chief nursing officer at HCA HealthONE Aurora. “It’s really important to recognize the work they do. It’s a hard job, and they do a great job, and they deserve that recognition.”
Dahm pushed a snack cart around the hospital on Thursday, bringing yogurt with fresh toppings to each of the nursing stations around the building. The treats vary throughout the week, including a candy cart, an ice cream cart with root beer floats, and a wellness cart stocked with lip balms and lotions. The interventional radiology team at HCA HealthONE Aurora, including nurses Julie Chang and Debbie Lindesmith, was one of the teams visited by the yogurt cart.
“It's something that hooks onto the seat belt and protects the port when they're going home, while that site is healing and when they're traveling around,” said Chang, referring to the handmade gifts known as Port Pillows that they create for their cancer patients. These pillows help protect the sensitive port sites that cancer patients often have, which allow for easier administration of medication.
“Our thoughts were, let’s make something out of a bad situation of being diagnosed with cancer and make them happy,” said Lindesmith. “That's what called me to nursing is my compassion for people, and whether I'm sitting with a dying patient and holding their hand till the end, or sitting with somebody and saying I'm here… It’s what I am.”
As part of National Nurses Week, numerous restaurant chains across the country are also offering freebies and discounts to show their appreciation for nurses. According to the American Nurses Enterprise, which encompasses the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation, National Nurses Week is the perfect time to share gratitude for the critical role nurses play in society.
Chipotle is giving away more than $2 million in free burritos for educators and healthcare professionals. From April 30 through May 12, teachers and healthcare professionals can enter for a chance to win a free entrée e-card. At the end of the promotional period, 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers will be randomly selected to receive an email to verify their employment status.
“Teachers and healthcare professionals are such important members of the communities we serve,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle, in a news release. “To express our gratitude, we're scaling up our recognition efforts and launching our largest free burrito giveback program in history.”
In addition to Chipotle, MOD Pizza is offering a Buy One, Get One Free pizza deal for teachers and nurses from May 5-8. To redeem the offer, participants must present a valid teacher or nurse ID at checkout. Potbelly is also participating by offering a complimentary cookie or regular-sized fountain drink with the purchase of any entrée to all teachers and nurses from May 5-11.
Moreover, Scooter's Coffee is providing healthcare workers with a free medium drink on May 6, the first day of National Nurses Week. This offer is valid at participating locations with a valid healthcare ID. McAlister's Deli is also joining the celebration by offering a free Big tea to teachers and nurses from May 5-12.
Mountain Mike's Pizza is offering teachers and nurses 15% off all pizza with the code "APPRECIATE25" from May 6-9. Furthermore, Logan's Roadhouse is providing a 20% discount on entrées for nurses from May 5-12.
In Elkins, West Virginia, local officials have recognized May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. Representatives from the Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center attended a proclamation reading by the Randolph County Commission, as well as a proclamation signing by Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco. ERCC Administrator Tara Shaver expressed gratitude for the recognition of nurses' vital roles in healthcare.
“Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system in this country,” Shaver said. “They play a vital role in providing short- and long-term care to patients.”
National Nurses Week is part of the overall National Nurses Month, which runs throughout May and includes International Nurses Day on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. According to the West Virginia Center for Nursing, there were 29,817 Registered Nurses (RNs) in the state in 2021, along with 4,692 Advanced Practical Registered Nurses and 6,190 Licensed Practical Nurses.
“We need more nurses in this state,” Shaver added. “It is a great paying, rewarding career and we hope more people decide to pursue this vocation.”
This year, National Nurses Week serves not only as a time to celebrate the hard work of nurses but also highlights the ongoing need for more healthcare professionals in the field. With various promotions and heartfelt acknowledgments from both local communities and large corporations, nurses are being recognized for their unwavering dedication and compassion during challenging times.
