The Compassus mission is driven by compassion and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. Every teammate plays a crucial role in improving the well-being and quality of life of those we serve. Joanna Horst, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, shares the values, experiences and motivations that drive her commitment to clinical excellence at Compassus. Joanna’s dedication and leadership embody the heart of Compassus, ensuring exceptional care for patients and families. Her passion for quality and excellence continues to inspire those around her every day.
Q: What personal values drive you in your role, and how does your work align with those values?
A: Florence Nightingale said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all of our lives.” What drives me is the desire to deliver the best care, at the right time, and to do no harm. Care that meets our patients’ needs has proven nursing to be the most rewarding career path I could ever imagine.
Q: What was the defining moment that made you feel proud to be part of this team or field?
A: I recall an especially complex patient being discharged. She said to me, “You never gave up. You believed I would get better.”
Q: How do you feel your work makes a difference for the people we serve or the team around you?
A: I literally picture patients sitting behind their front door waiting for us. I know we make a difference because when I did home visits, I walked the path of healing with them. I experienced their home and family environment. For some, I was their consistent cheerleader, safe haven and a person who believed in them.
Q: What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction or fulfillment? Why?
A: Now that I am not seeing patients in the home, I receive the greatest fulfillment when we at Compassus outperform national benchmarks for quality. Because for me, that is personal. That represents a clinician delivering excellence. That represents a patient who gets to stay home where they want to be. That shows the world that we are the best.
Q: What motivates you to keep coming back, even on challenging days?
A: Our patients. I literally picture them sitting behind their front door waiting for us to come. I don’t want to keep anyone waiting. I want us to be there.
Q: If you were to tell a friend or family member why your work matters, what would you say?
A: I am so proud that we provide patients the highest quality of care and experience. Our care enables patients to stay in the comfort of their own home.
Q: What’s one thing about our organization or mission that resonates deeply with you?
A: Our core values of Compassion, Integrity and Excellence are three characteristics that I hold myself to both personally and professionally. It enables me to bring my authentic self to work each day to advance our mission of well-being and quality of life.
