In this Club Nurse podcast episode, host Colton Lord celebrates Nurses Week 2026 by highlighting a series of promotions, recognitions, and personal reflections aimed at nurses. The episode opens with a promotion for nurse.org’s month‑long giveaway, offering daily chances to win Amazon, Visa, Walmart, Starbucks, and other brand‑specific prizes, as well as exclusive discount codes for apparel and gear. Lord then details the historic 2026 Nurses Week activities: over 200 iconic global landmarks (including One World Trade Center and Boston’s Zakim Bridge) will be illuminated red in honor of nurses, coinciding with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) 130th anniversary and the congressional proclamation of 2026 as the “Year of the Power of Nurses.” The ANA is touring major hospitals and has released a digital toolkit for local celebrations. Additional recognitions include major‑league sports teams offering discounted tickets and unique experiences for nurses, and Chipotle’s large‑scale free‑entree giveaway for healthcare workers. The host concludes with a candid discussion about nurse burnout, the importance of self‑care, and encouragement for nurses to consider career pivots without guilt, emphasizing that personal well‑being outweighs external validation. Throughout, listeners are urged to visit nurse.org for giveaways, deals, and resources.
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It's Nurses Month and we're celebrating big at nurse.org. We're not just doing one giveaway, we're giving away hundreds of prizes all month long. That's right, you can win instantly and enter every single day. We're talking Amazon, Visa, Walmart, Starbucks gift cards, plus shoes, scrubs, and so much more from brands nurses actually love. Don't miss out. Head to nurse.org/win to enter now through May 31st. And make sure you're following @nurse.org on Instagram for even more chances to win.
Welcome to Club Nurse. I'm Colton Lord, your host. By you being here today, it shows me that you are someone who wants to learn, grow, laugh, connect, and just let your emotions flow. We are here to share real stories and hear real life experiences from real people. You are not alone in this, and Club Nurse is here to show you that. Don't forget to follow the show and share today's episode with someone you love. Now let's dive into today's conversation.
Hello everybody. Welcome back to the Club Nurse Podcast. My name is Colton Lord, your host, and we are covering some nurse news this week. I know I've said it on the last couple episodes, we are having some guests on. So look out in the next couple weeks. We've officially started recording some more podcasts with some awesome, amazing guests and nurses who are just doing really great things in the world of healthcare and nursing. So be on the lookout for those. I'm super excited for you guys to hear those conversations. I think as nurses, it is really important and nice for us to see other nurses doing things that are kind of outside the box or just give us, you know, different ideas that we can take into our profession to believe in ourselves and to do other things and realize that we are not in a box. Our, our license opens up so many doors in life really to do so many different things. And we should embrace that. It is Nurses Week. Happy Nurses Week to all the nurses out there, no matter where you are. The registered nurses, the LPNs, all of the nurses out there across the world who are out there taking care of patients day in and day out, whether you're at the bedside, whether you're not at the bedside, nurses play a role in so many different ways in patient care. And I think that it's so, so vitally important that we acknowledge every nurse for every single thing that we and you all do. It does not go unnoticed by, at least by the nursing community. I think it goes—
Oh, no.
unnoticed by the general population and maybe hospital administrators. But with that being said, just happy Nurses Week. And you know what? Take advantage of the things that are going on this week. And that's what we're going to talk about a little bit. We don't get very many perks in this world of being a nurse.
Okay.
So for Nurses Week, you need to take advantage of these companies, these businesses. And even if, you know what, even if they're using it as a marketing tool and they really maybe don't care, I don't know. Girl, go get your free thing from these places that are offering it. You know, why not? We deserve it. You deserve it. So let's talk about the 200+ landmarks worldwide that will light up red for Nurses Week. The American Nurses Enterprise has announced that more than 200 iconic landmarks around the world will be illuminated in red beginning May 6th in honor of the power of nurses. The theme for National Nurses Week 2026, which runs May 6th— today is, oh, today's officially May 6th that I'm recording this— through May 12th. It is the It's the largest lighting activation in the event's history, and it comes during a year that carries more weight than most. You want to know something funny? Side note, I called my dad 2 days ago, so maybe it was on Monday, and he answered and said, happy Nurses Week. I didn't even know. I had no idea it was Nurses Week, but my dad did. And you know what? What I think probably why? Because he's recently been going through some health things. I won't divulge too much, but I think that maybe he's been paying attention more, having to go to some appointments. So he knew it was Nurses Week somehow. I don't know how he knew. I should have asked him actually, 'cause he's never said to me, happy Nurses Week. He's not like a social media person. Like you won't find him on there, but he is the one who told me it was Nurses Week. I guess I should maybe pay attention more, but I will say it is my, probably my first really full year that I'm not like in the hospital right now during Nurses Week. So I didn't hear all the chatter like leading up to it. So maybe that's why. This is not a typical Nurses Week though. The 2026 celebration falls during the ANA's 130th anniversary. 130 years of advocacy, ethical leadership, relentless work to advance a profession that now counts more than 5.7 million licensed nurses in the United States alone. Earlier this year, Congress made it official. A bipartisan proclamation declared 2026 the Year of the Power of Nurses, recognizing the nursing profession's extraordinary contribution to American healthcare and communities nationwide. Against that backdrop, the ANA is not letting this week pass quietly. And that is great. That deserves a little, a little golf clap there for sure. So like I said, with the title of this article was Starting May sixth, and this is on nurse.org/news if you want to read more of these articles or kind of dive more into this. But starting today, May sixth, more than 200 landmarks across the globe will glow red in recognition of nurses. This list of confirmed locations spans continents and cultures, and it includes some of the most recognizable structures on Earth. In the U.S., the One World Trade Center in New York City will be illuminated. And you know what? I read this: the Zakim Bridge in Boston. Girl, I lived there for four years, and I have no idea what the Zakim Zakim Bridges. So give me just one second. Okay, so the Zakim Bridge is a cable-styled bridge known as America's first hybrid cable state. Okay, you guys don't care about this. You don't care about the bridge in Boston and why I'm looking this up. Okay, so basically it's a cable bridge in Boston that will be lit up red. So if you see a building glowing red this week, it is there because of you, you amazing, wonderful nurses doing amazing things. Also, the American Nurses Association is coming to you. Senior leaders and state nurse association leaders are hitting the road this week and they will be in person visiting some major healthcare institutions across the country, which includes MedStar Washington Hospital in D.C., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, University Medical Center in New Orleans, Seattle Children's, and L.A. General Medical Center in Los Angeles. So it's great. But also to note, if they're not coming to you, the ANA has released a full National Nurses Week digital toolkit loaded with customizable resources, social media assets, printable certificates, press guidance, and ideas for local celebrations that you can run yourself. The link to this again is in thenurse.org/news. Find this article and you can find all of the information on that.
Nurse.org and Major League Sports teams are honoring nurses with discounted game tickets and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From throwing the first pitch to riding the Zamboni to on-court recognition, join the fun. Visit nurse.org/nursenight to find a nurse appreciation event near you. And grab your discounted tickets today.
All right.
So let's talk more about some ways that you guys can get things. So the biggest Nurse Month giveaway is here. Again, you're going to want to go to nurse.org. There will be literally links and signs and flashing things about this when you just go to the nurse.org website. So we are celebrating you all month. New prizes drop every single day in May. Enter now for your chance to win. So I'm looking at this timer now. It looks like you have 25 days, 10 hours, 18 minutes, and 15 seconds to enter. New prizes drop every day. Submit your entry for an instant chance to win today's prize. So you should, you should get on there. The prize list includes Amazon gift cards, Walmart. These are $100 gift cards, girl. $10 Starbucks gift cards, Visa gift cards, Target gift cards, bags, stethoscopes, energy drinks, shoes, Clove shoes. Oh my goodness. Echo Core stethoscope. Girl, that thing is cool. I saw that at the health conference. You will want one. Trust me. So be sure you are getting on and entering to win things because you're a nurse and you deserve it, girl. Let's go on to the next thing here. Again, at the nurse.org website, you can find nurse deals and exclusive discounts. And literally there are discounts everywhere, you guys. Lululemon, Calvin Klein, Carhartt, Clarks, FIGS, Reebok, Hey Dude, J.Crew, Levi's. Please go to the website and guys, get your deals. All right, let's talk about how Chipotle specifically is celebrating Nurses Week in 2026. Nurses and healthcare workers can enter for a chance to win one of the hundreds thousand free entree gift cards Chipotle is giving away for Nurses Week. Over the past 6+ years, Chipotle has donated more than $7 million in free meals through this program. So between now and May 12th, medical workers can enter for a chance to win via the brand's dedicated healthcare appreciation site. Potential winners will be randomly selected and verified through ID.me. Once confirmed, they'll receive a digital gift card for a free burrito, bowl, or salad. Uh, the initiative is part of a larger $2 million giveaway that also honors educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, which I don't know why they line us together.
Okay.
I mean, the teachers deserve more than a week for appreciation, but of course they lump the nurses and the teachers together. Thank you, Chipotle. Really. Thank you. It's not your fault that these weeks fall on the same week, but anyway, yes. So all the things, Nurses Week, get your free things, guys, go to nurse.org. Uh, I know I've said that 100 times now. All right. And I just wanted to end this episode of Nurses Week with just a little reminder that these hospital systems and where you work, even if you don't work for a hospital system, uh, they don't determine You know, your worth and who you are through these gifts that you're given. I know that we always joke about it because we're nurses and we have dark humor. We joke about the silly things that hospitals give us, like rocks and Cup of Noodles and Chef Boyardee ravioli. And I had— I read one that some hospital gave nurses an empty bag and said, you may not see it, but we are grateful for you, but gave them an empty Ziploc bag. Like, really, some of the things that are given to nurses are really offensive. Like, it's like we'd rather you just not even recognize us, honestly. But I just want to take a moment I want to just remind you why you're here, why you're a nurse, why you're at the bedside, why you're doing the job that you're doing, even if you're not at the bedside. You know, we all got into this for a certain reason. We all have our own personal reasons why we are nurses. And I think it's so easy to be burnt out and bogged down by the system and feel like we've been kicked and punched and all the things. And it's hard. It's hard work out there. But I will say that you have made a difference in somebody else's life. You have been the reason that somebody has been able to Continue on in their life. You have saved lives. There are people who talk about you constantly to other people, and they remember you and the compassionate care that you gave to them. And I think that's what we have to hold on to. It's the most important part of our job. Yes, there are difficult people. There are patients who do unspeakable things to us as nurses, but that's not who I'm talking about. I'm talking about the ones that you— that really do appreciate you and that remember you. And even if they don't say it, are And deep gratitude for the work that you do because it's important. And I think as nurses, we all need those reminders. Gosh, it's, it's hard out there. And if you're struggling, if you feel burnt out, if you feel like there's no end in sight or that you need to change, I'm here to tell you it's okay to pivot. And if you need a break from the bedside, if you want a permanent break from the bedside, it's okay. It doesn't make you any less of a nurse. And At the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself first. And I'm sorry if I'm sounding like a little preachy here, but it's just, it's just the truth. You are given your one body, and if you don't feel at peace in that body and your work and your career are contributing to that, it's important that you reconsider and not be a martyr and not be, feel like you owe your life to a profession that really doesn't give you much back. And I'm not here to say that everybody needs to leave the bedside and screw it all. That's not at all what I'm saying. I just think that if you are somebody who's out there and struggling and you need a little bit of a pivot, you don't need permission, girl.
Okay?
And it doesn't matter what your unit friends think or your nursing school buddies think or your family or anybody. You've got to take care of yourself. And that's my take-home message. Okay? It's Nurses Week, girl. Go enjoy. Get all the freebies. Go to nurse.org. Make sure you see and sign up for all the things. And I hope you win.
Thank you.
All of the prizes and the goodies and soak up the free stuff. And I hope that you work for a hospital system that appreciates you and is taking care of you this Nurses Week. And if they're not, whatever. Okay. All right. Much love to you all. We'll see you guys next time.
Bye. From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank you for being here at Club Nurse. I hope you gained something valuable from today's episode. And if you did, remember to share this episode with someone that you love. Follow me on socials @NurseDaddies or ColtonLord17, and be sure to follow nurse.org to stay informed with all of the hottest healthcare topics. Until next time, take care of yourself the way you take care of everyone else. Love ya, bye!
