Hunter Venters, an embodiment of dedication and expertise in critical care, is a name synonymous with Ecu East Care. From his early days traversing his family’s farm fields in Chicod, Pitt County, North Carolina, to commanding the skies as a flight nurse, Venters’ journey is deeply intertwined with East Carolina University (ECU) and its commitment to serving the region. His story is a testament to the vital role of ECU East Care in delivering life-saving medical services across eastern North Carolina.
Venters’ path was always oriented towards Greenville and ECU. Following his graduation from D.H. Conley High School, his decision to attend East Carolina University was unwavering, as was his ambition to become a nurse. Initially envisioning a balance between nursing and assisting on the family farm, he soon realized the demanding nature of nursing required his full attention. This dedication led him to immerse himself in the world of healthcare, a decision that ultimately positioned him as a leader within ECU East Care.
“It seemed like the right path,” Venters reflected. “The sense of community and job stability were appealing, and I have a genuine love for continuous learning. Nursing provides that constant opportunity to delve into new areas and expand your knowledge.” This intrinsic motivation remains a driving force for him today, as he leads ECU East Care’s air and ground ambulance services, covering a vast area from I-95 to the coast, and from the Virginia border down to South Carolina.
Nursing school at ECU not only solidified Venters’ professional trajectory but also brought him together with his wife, Ashley. A family nurse practitioner at ECU Health in Kinston, Ashley shares Venters’ commitment to healthcare in eastern North Carolina. Together, they navigate their demanding careers while raising their three children, daughters and a son, actively involved in ECU football games and various extracurricular activities.
Venters’ clinical journey began in the ICU at the medical center in New Bern, specializing in cardiac care after graduating in 2007. He then transitioned to the surgical and trauma ICU at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, a pivotal move that deepened his passion for nursing. “The acuity of patients in the surgery and trauma ICU was incredibly impactful,” Venters explained. “It was there that I truly fell in love with nursing because of the intense and critical nature of the care required.”
Witnessing the constant influx of critically ill patients from across eastern North Carolina ignited a desire within Venters to elevate his impact. He contemplated advanced roles, considering becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or a family nurse practitioner. However, another avenue captured his attention – flight nursing. “Day after day, I watched patients arrive on the rooftop, transported directly to our unit,” Venters recounted. “Flight nursing started to seem like an incredibly compelling and dynamic field.”
The path to becoming a flight nurse with ECU Health EastCare Transport Services, the critical care air and ground transportation service of ECU Health, was rigorous. The selection process resembled an intense tryout, involving physical and psychological evaluations, clinical scenario assessments, and in-depth interviews with EastCare’s leadership. “The EastCare hiring process is comprehensive,” Venters described. “It begins with initial interviews to meet the team and leadership. Those invited back face clinical scenarios evaluated by medical directors and clinical managers – a role I now oversee. We also incorporate written and personality assessments to ensure the best fit for this demanding environment.”
Successfully navigating the initial selection was just the first step. Maintaining a position with ECU East Care demands continuous commitment to fitness, expertise, and annual evaluations. These evaluations include a timed half-mile run and a stretcher lift and carry exercise with a 200-pound mannequin across a field. “Annual survival training is also crucial,” Venters emphasized. “In the event of an emergency, our crews must be self-sufficient. We conduct training to ensure they can build shelters and fires, essential survival skills in unforeseen circumstances.”
Providing comfort and expert medical care to acutely ill and often terrified patients in emergency situations takes a significant physical, mental, and professional toll. As an ECU East Care flight nurse, Venters and his colleagues were authorized to perform advanced medical procedures typically beyond the scope of practice for many registered nurses. These life-saving interventions, conducted within the confines of a helicopter soaring hundreds of feet above eastern North Carolina, include needle decompressions, advanced airway management, and intraosseous infusions. “Operating in a flying machine adds another layer of complexity,” Venters recalled. “Communication is critical. You’re interacting with the pilot, managing multiple communication channels in your headset, coordinating with your medical partner about the patient’s condition, and simultaneously monitoring air traffic to ensure flight safety.”
Venters also reflected on his experience as a male in a predominantly female profession. In his nursing school cohort, only nine out of 100 graduates were men. “Many of the men in my class were non-traditional students, often older and career changers,” Venters noted. “They recognized the value and opportunities within nursing.”
After years of dedicated service as a flight nurse and later in a management role overseeing ECU East Care’s fleet, Venters pursued further education to become a family nurse practitioner. While he may eventually transition to primary patient care, he currently finds fulfillment in his leadership role within ECU East Care. He is responsible for overseeing the network of air ambulances that serve the extensive and diverse landscape of eastern North Carolina, from vast farmlands to coastal areas stretching from Virginia to South Carolina and westward from I-95 to the Outer Banks.
Trey Labrecque, director of EastCare, commended Venters’ exemplary leadership and his role in shaping the future of flight nursing in the region. “Hunter’s ability to mentor and develop inexperienced nurses into outstanding critical care flight nurses is invaluable to our team and the patients we serve,” Labrecque stated.
Venters attributes his critical thinking and leadership skills to his education at ECU’s College of Nursing. “During hospital clinical rotations, I observed a stronger emphasis on technical skills among students from other programs,” Venters recalled. “At ECU, the curriculum was more theoretically grounded and leadership-focused. Its value became apparent during my second year as I began to think more strategically and comprehensively. ECU instills foundational elements for early success and equips you to effectively navigate challenges.”
Pitt County remains Venters’ cherished home. His deep roots, family connections, and love for the outdoors anchor him to the region. The presence of a nationally recognized nursing school in his backyard was an undeniable advantage. “I never considered leaving,” Venters affirmed. “Why would I look elsewhere when ECU, a leading institution, was right here?” His ongoing commitment to ECU East Care underscores his dedication to the community and the critical mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to eastern North Carolina.
