Every year from May 6–12, National Nurses Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary impact nurses make in hospitals, clinics, homes, schools, and communities across the country. This year’s theme — “The Power of Nurses” — perfectly captures the strength, compassion, expertise, and resilience nurses bring to every patient interaction and every healthcare team.
At GQR Healthcare and Uniti Med, we know that nurses are the backbone of patient care. Whether they’re advocating for patients, supporting families through difficult moments, leading care coordination, or responding in moments of crisis, nurses show up every single day with unmatched dedication.
The Power Behind Patient Care
Nursing is one of the most demanding and rewarding professions in healthcare. Nurses balance clinical expertise with emotional intelligence, often serving as the primary connection between patients and providers.
Across every specialty and setting, nurses:
Deliver critical bedside care
Educate and advocate for patients
Improve patient outcomes
Support families through life-changing moments
Strengthen communities through compassion and service
The impact of nurses extends far beyond hospital walls. Nurses are leaders, educators, caregivers, problem-solvers, and healthcare simply wouldn't function without them.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Nurses Everywhere
Behind every patient story is a nurse who made a difference.
The nurse who stayed a few extra minutes to comfort a worried family member. The nurse who caught a critical detail that changed the course of care. The nurse who worked through exhaustion, holidays, overnight shifts, and emotionally difficult days because their patients needed them.
Nurses carry an incredible responsibility, often balancing compassion and clinical excellence in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Yet despite the challenges, they continue to show up with empathy, professionalism, and unwavering commitment.
Over the past several years especially, nurses have demonstrated extraordinary resilience. They have adapted to evolving healthcare demands, staffing shortages, and increasingly complex patient needs while continuing to provide exceptional care to their communities.
National Nurses Week is a reminder that the work nurses do does not go unnoticed. Their impact reaches far beyond the bedside, influencing patient outcomes, strengthening healthcare systems, and improving lives every single day.
To every nurse: thank you for your dedication, your sacrifice, your compassion, and the countless moments of care that often happen quietly behind the scenes.
A Message from Leadership
“Happy Nurses Week to all of our incredible nurses 💙
As a nurse myself, I know this job asks so much of you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s the early mornings, late nights, missed holidays, stressful shifts, and still finding a way to care for others with compassion.
Please know that your work matters and you are appreciated more than words can say. The impact nurses make reaches far beyond the bedside.
Thank you for continuing to show up, care deeply, and make a difference every day.”
— Jessica Shroyer, BSN RN, Head of Clinical & Compliance
“Nurses do so much more than care for patients. They show up for people and families during some of the hardest moments in life, and we truly appreciate the compassion, strength, and heart they bring every single day.”
— Chris Sund, COO + President
Small Ways to Say 'Thank You'
Many brands and companies recognize the contributions nurses make year-round by offering exclusive healthcare worker discounts. While no discount can truly match the value nurses provide, these offers are one small way businesses show appreciation during Nurses Week and beyond.
Here are a few popular nurse discounts available in 2026:
Apparel & Footwear
Adidas - 30% off online and in-store purchases
Nike - 10% off online for medical professionals
Lululemon - 15% off for nurses and first responders
Technology & Wellness
Samsung - Up to 0% off select products
Verizon - Special discounted unlimited plans for nurses
Peloton - Free 30-day app membership trial
Food & Lifestyle
HelloFresh - 50% off the first box plus ongoing savings
Outback Steakhouse - 10% off with valid medical card
Sam's Club - Discounted memberships for healthcare workers
Travel & Experience
Caesars Rewards - 30% off hotel stays
Great Wolf Lodge - Up to 40% with HEROES offer code
Hotwire - Extra travel savings for healthcare workers
Celebrate Nurses Week With Us
This Nurses Week, we encourage everyone to take a moment to thank the nurses who have made a difference in their lives. Their compassion, expertise, and commitment continue to shape healthier communities every single day.
Want to explore more Nurses Week resources, appreciation ideas, and exclusive nurse discounts?
Happy National Nurses Week to all the incredible nurses powering healthcare forward.