Real Nurses. Reality TV. And a Whole Lot of Thirst: Meet Amaya and Nic from Love Island

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If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two real-life nurses trade their scrubs for swimwear and step into the villa of Love Island USA, wonder no more. Season 7, which started June 3, is delivering a dose of medical professionalism (and a side of chaos) in the form of Amaya Espinal and Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe—two healthcare workers braving a different kind of vital sign: the pulse of reality TV romance.

What Is ‘Love Island USA’ and How Does It Work?

Love Island USA is a reality dating show where a group of singles—known as "Islanders"—live together in a secluded villa, constantly monitored by cameras. The goal? To couple up and avoid being dumped from the island. Islanders form couples based on first impressions, but throughout the season, they must "re-couple," choosing to stick with their current partner or switch to someone new. Anyone left single after a coupling ceremony is eliminated.

The public gets involved too, voting via an app for their favorite couples or the ones they think are most compatible. The couple with the fewest votes risks elimination, and sometimes the Islanders themselves must vote each other off. The last couple standing wins a cash prize—currently $100,000. Along the way, Islanders compete in challenges, go on dates, and receive texts alerting them to dramatic twists or juicy gossip.

 

Meet the ‘Love Island USA’ Nurses: Stat!

Nic Vansteenberghe

At 24, Nic is a registered nurse from Jacksonville, Florida, with a degree from Florida Atlantic University. He describes nursing as “charm is 80% of the job,” and claims his secret is to “give them that positivity,” plus “a little bit of love and affection—but not in a weird way”. (We’re still waiting for his TED Talk: “Flirting, but Make It HIPAA-Compliant.”). In his intro, Nic said his “friends would describe me as ‘feral.’ Yes, you read that right. You can follow him on Instagram @nicolasvans.

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Amaya Espinal

The newest “bombshell” to sashay into the villa, Amaya wasted no time diagnosing the situation and prescribing herself a shot at Jeremiah Brown—even if it meant ruffling a few feathers. Her approach? She’s all about respectful communication and being “honest about my intentions,” which, let’s be honest, is more than you can say for most of the other “contestants” in the villa. You can follow her on Instagram @amayaelizabeth_ and TikTok @amayaelizabeth_

@amayaelizabeth_ #nursingschool #graduation ♬ lay it down by steelix

From Bedpans to Bombshells: A Shift Like No Other

Let’s be honest: the only thing more unpredictable than a night shift in the ER is a night in the Love Island villa. But both Amaya and Nic Vansteenberghe seem uniquely qualified for the drama, and their clinical skills have come in handy in some very non-clinical situations. Here’s how their nursing backgrounds have set them apart from the typical “thirsty” contestants:

• Triage Skills: When Amaya decided to pursue Jeremiah (who was already coupled up), she handled it with more diplomacy than most contestants muster for a group text. “Amaya’s respectful communication wasn’t wrong,” one fan noted, as she calmly explained her intentions to Huda, Jeremiah’s partner.
• Conflict Resolution: Nic’s approach to romance is less “code blue” and more “let’s talk it out.” He’s been praised for his maturity and communication—no small feat in a villa where most arguments are settled by who can shout “I’m here for the right reasons!” the loudest.
• Acts of Service: Nic even went so far as to bring Belle-A peanut butter toast for breakfast, despite admitting it grossed him out—a true act of service, and possibly the most wholesome moment in ‘Love Island’ history.
• Calm Under Pressure: Let’s face it, surviving a recoupling ceremony is nothing compared to surviving a night in the ER. Both nurses have shown they can keep their cool when the drama heats up—no code blue needed.

Final Diagnosis

Will Amaya and Nic find love, or just a new appreciation for their day jobs? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: if anyone faints from the sheer thirst in the villa, at least there are two professionals on hand to check their vitals—and maybe their Instagram following, too.

So, to all the nurses watching at home: next time your shift gets wild, just remember—it could be worse. You could be stuck in a villa, surrounded by “feral” models, with only one glass of wine per night and a camera in your face 24/7. Now that’s what we call a code red.

 

🤔 Nurses: do you watch 'Love Island USA'? What do you think about these two nurses on the show? Let us know in the discussion forum below.