This week, on Monday 7 July 2025, Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Clifton campus welcomed a cohort of nursing students from Luther College, Iowa, USA as part of their three-week clinical placement with Nottingham CityCare Partnership. This visit marked a vibrant exchange of ideas, culture, and clinical education between the UK and the USA, and was made even more special by the presence of Ukrainian nursing students hosted by NTU at the same time.
The afternoon began with a warm welcome and a joint lunch, offering students from both countries the chance to connect and share their experiences. The highlight of the visit was a guided tour of NTU’s cutting-edge simulation facilities. The Luther students were introduced to the university’s state-of-the-art simulation labs, where they observed how clinical scenarios are brought to life using computer-activated mannequins. These lifelike dummies are used to simulate everything from routine procedures to complex emergencies, helping students develop critical thinking and hands-on skills in a safe, controlled environment. Equally impressive was the VR suite, where students explored immersive learning tools that replicate real-world healthcare settings.
The visit is part of a broader placement programme that included time with various CityCare teams, a visit to Nottingham University Hospital's Queen’s Medical Centre, and a final celebration event at CityCare's Aspect Business Centre base. Students are also tasked with preparing a presentation comparing healthcare and nursing education in the US and UK, encouraging deep reflection on their learning.
Feedback from the Luther students was overwhelmingly positive. Patrick, fourth year Nursing student at Luther College is “looking forward to the three weeks here learning more about public and community health” and is “very excited about this journey I am about to embark on”.
Molly, also a fourth year Nursing student and Luther College is “Excited to learn and start this process and be able to compare our USA healthcare system to the one here”.
This visit not only enriched the students’ understanding of global nursing practices but also strengthened the bonds between institutions. Plans are already underway for a reciprocal visit to Luther College in Spring 2026, offering CityCare staff the chance to experience healthcare education in Iowa.
As Becki Flegg, Learning and Education Development Nurse at Nottingham CityCare, shared in her communications, “We know how much both these students and our staff gain from these trips. CityCare prides itself on our excellence in patient care and holistic working and it’s a privilege to be able to share our practices with International Students.”
Date published: 10 July 2025
