Real Nurses. Reality TV. And a Whole Lot of Thirst

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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 Nic & Amaya

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.

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

Love Island Update: 6/23/25

Since our last check-in with Love Island’s favorite nurses, Amaya Espinal and Nic Vansteenberghe, the villa has gone from steamy to full-on wildfire. Grab your stethoscopes—here’s the pulse on all the latest drama, romance, and, yes, a healthy dose of messiness from our nurse duo!

Nic: Still Messy, Still Can’t Decide

Nic has been living up to his reputation as the villa’s most indecisive heartthrob. He’s been coupled up with Cierra, and while they’re technically “going strong,” let’s just say the commitment is about as stable as a Jell-O shot during a pool party.

Nic can’t seem to make up his mind, and with the new Casa Amor bombshells entering the scene, everyone’s betting he’ll be tempted to stray—again. His “I’m just keeping my options open” energy is driving Cierra (and viewers) up the wall, and honestly, it’s the kind of mess that keeps us tuning in.

Amaya: Loveable, Loud, and a Little Bit Chaotic

Amaya, meanwhile, has cemented herself as the villa’s most loveable wildcard. She’s been called “confrontational” and “erratic,” but fans can’t get enough of her unfiltered honesty and her refusal to let anyone walk all over her. She’s got a heart of gold and a flair for the dramatic—whether she’s standing up for herself in a heated debate or bursting into tears when things get real, Amaya brings the kind of reality TV gold that makes the show a must-watch.

Her current coupling with Austin is… well, let’s call it “entertainingly unstable.” Rumor has it this pairing only happened because Austin wanted to stay on the show, and most fans are betting it’ll dissolve faster than you can say “recoupling”. Still, Amaya’s unpredictability means anything can happen—she could fall head over heels for a Casa Amor bombshell or start a whole new feud before breakfast.

Casa Amor: The Ultimate Test

Just when things couldn’t get any more chaotic, Casa Amor has arrived. The villa has split, and a fresh batch of singles has landed in Fiji, ready to test every couple’s loyalty—including Nic’s (who, let’s be real, is already halfway out the door) and Amaya’s (who might just scare off the competition with her signature blend of charm and chaos).

The producers are promising “rising temptations and unfolding drama,” and with fan voting in play, the fate of our nurse duo is truly in America’s hands. Will Nic finally pick a side, or will he keep playing the field? Will Amaya find someone who can handle her big personality—or will she send another boy packing with just a look?

The Takeaway

• Nic: Still messy, still indecisive, and still making questionable choices. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
• Amaya: Loveable, a little bit crazy, and the undisputed queen of villa drama. She’s the nurse who’ll give you a shot—and then tell you exactly what she thinks about your attitude.

Stay tuned, nurses! With Casa Amor in full swing, the only thing you can count on is that Amaya and Nic will keep us entertained—and maybe, just maybe, find a little love (or at least a little more drama) along the way.

🤔 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.