Modifying a Nursing Professional Advancement Framework for Child Life

Rose Seelenbinder is a Child Life Manager within the Child Life, Education, and Creative Arts Therapy Department at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In her role, Rose manages the Critical Care Child Life teams, including Child Life Specialists and Child Activity Coordinators in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal/Infant Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Center and Center for Fetal and Diagnostic Treatment, along with relief and per diem child life specialists. Rose is one of the department leaders leading the transition efforts from a clinical ladder system to a professional advancement program. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist with nine years of experience as a member of the leadership team supporting several department programs including the Child Life Career Workshop, Snowflake Station, on-call systems, new employee orientation, student training programs and staff development. Rose is obtaining her MS in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University and received her BS in Child Development from the University of Pittsburgh.

Sarah Murawski, BSN, RN is the Professional Advancement Program Coordinator for the Department of Nursing and Clinical Care Services at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Sarah has 10 years of leadership experience as a Clinical Supervisor on a Medical-Surgical inpatient unit and 16 years of pediatric nursing experience specializing in the care of General Pediatric, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immunology patients as a bedside nurse, preceptor and charge nurse. She has been actively involved in the development and implementation of the Professional Advancement Program (PEAK) since 2012 and currently serves as the co-chair of the PEAK Steering Committee. As the PEAK Co-Chair, Sarah has played an instrumental role in implementing improvements to the program as well as the ongoing evaluation of the program. 

Last Presentations: 

1. Engaging Nurses in Transforming a Professional Advancement Program at the Society of Pediatric Nurses 29th Annual Conference April 24-27, 2019 (Podium) 

2. Engaging Nurses in Transforming a Professional Advancement Program at Nursing of Children Network 15th Annual Regional Pediatric Conference October 19, 2018 (Podium) 

3. Striving for PEAK Performance: Transitioning from a Traditional Clinical Ladder to a Professional Advancement Program at the 2016 ANCC Magnet Conference (Poster)

Elana Brewer is the Senior Director of Child Life, Education, Creative Arts Therapy and Volunteer Services at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has 20 years of experience as a child life administrator, overseeing a range of programs including hospital school services, pet therapy, patient media, creative arts therapy, and volunteer services. Elana holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hope College and a master’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University.