Ukrainian Nursing delegation welcomed to Nottingham amid war disruptions to training

The visit, funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, aimed to foster international collaboration and provide vital clinical experience to Ukrainian nurses, whose training has been disrupted by ongoing conflict.

The nine-strong delegation included undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students, practicing nurses from the Kharkiv region, and university staff. In the final week, the group was joined by Dr Oksana Vasylieva, Head of International Relations, and Professor Nataliia Savielieva, First Vice-Rector for Research and Education at KNMU.

KNMU is home to one of Ukraine’s oldest medical schools and offers a range of health programmes including Bachelors and Masters degrees in Nursing. Located just 25 miles from the Russian border, the region continues to endure airstrikes, severely limiting practical training opportunities for healthcare students.

The visit was designed to bridge this gap by offering knowledge exchange and hands-on experience within NUH’s diverse clinical settings, including operating theatres, palliative care, and advanced clinical practice.

At NTU’s Institute of Health and Allied Professions, the group engaged in simulation-based learning on living with frailty, explored innovative teaching methods, such as the use of virtual reality, and attended sessions on UK health care systems led by senior staff from the Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.

Speaking about the visit, Viktoriia Obozna, a Paediatric Nurse from Kharkiv, said: "I realised professional growth is not just a dream but a reality with support and education. I return with confidence and openness to new approaches."

KNMU Nursing student, Daria Frursova, reflected: "I was impressed by innovative teaching methods, simulation rooms, and virtual reality at NTU. Also, the mutual respect among staff and toward patients."

"Speaking with Dr Vasylieva about the challenges of delivering health education near the front line inspired me to act. With support from NUH and funding from the Burdett Trust, we created a meaningful experience for everyone involved,” said Dr Anne Felton, Head of the Institute of Health and Allied Professions at NTU.

“It has been a privilege to learn from our Ukrainian colleagues, their resilience, determination and compassion are truly inspiring."

Tracy Pilcher, Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive of NUH, said: "It has been a pleasure working with the Ukrainian nursing professionals and students. The visit has allowed our special visitors to gain valuable hands-on experience within our clinical settings.

"It was a real privilege to meet the nurses and students at a workshop and to hear about what they had learned and enjoyed from their clinical time. We would like to thank the Burdett Trust for Nursing for funding their visit."

The visit marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, with both institutions committed to exploring future collaborations in health education and research.