Advanced Practice

Kathleen Zielinksi, MSN, APRN, RN, CPNP-PC, has carved a career path that combines her drive for learning and her longtime interest in taking care of children.

Zielinski earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loyola University and her master’s from Rush University, both in Chicago. Most of her career has been working in major metropolitan areas and at university-affiliated hospitals. She has been a staff nurse and clinical educator and has also worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner in a small private practice.

Zielinski always knew she would work in a medical field and work with children. She grew up admiring her mom and her sister, who were both teachers. When Zielinski was a college student, her cousin was born with a congenital heart condition, requiring multiple surgeries, and she recalled going to visit him in the hospital. Pediatric nursing was the right fit for her.

Prior to serving on ENA’s Advanced Practice Advisory Council, Zielinski was involved in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners—a colleague there recommended she become involved with ENA. Zielinski presented at Emergency Nursing 2024, teaching a session on pediatric sepsis, as well as a volunteer working the Sharpen Your Skills stations.

“We’re a field that is growing fast,” Zielinski said. “Our health care system has to figure out how to use us.”

The APAC, she said, has helped her see the need for improving pediatric emergency care around the country.

“It’s been eye-opening,” she said. “Pediatric readiness across the U.S. is very much lacking, especially when you get outside major cities.”

In her current role as pediatric nurse practitioner at Lurie Children’s Hospital at Central DuPage in Winfield, Illinois, she works with a grant-funded program called Simulation-based training for High Acuity Pediatric Events, teaching about uncommon situations like drowning and other pediatric emergencies. She also participates in a program that educates EMS out in the community called the Children’s Prehospital Simulation Network of Illinois.

“Responding to pediatric calls is something they’re very nervous about,” said Zielinksi, who also teaches the pediatric mass casualty triage algorithm JumpSTART.

For Zielinski, earning an advanced degree “was a no brainer,” something she always wanted, and as her children get older, she plans to earn her DNP.

Nurses occasionally turn to her for advice on whether to pursue advanced degrees. She tells them first to “make sure you love it.” She also touts the opportunities they could find. There are many ways to combine clinical, education, outreach and research, she said. For her, finding the right balance of intense stretcherside work with her roles in education and research has helped her prevent burnout, she said.

• Darleen Williams, DNP, APRN, CNS, EMT-P, CEN, CCNS, 2025 Chairperson
• Teresa Dodge, DNP, CEN, FNP-C
• Laura Gallagher, MSN, APRN, CEN, ACNS-BC
• Luis Gino Guzman, DNP, MHA, APN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, TCRN
• Eric McCraney, DNP, MA, NP, ENP-BC, FNP-C, NREMT-P
• Deborah McCrea, EdD, MSN, RN, EMT-P, CEN, CFRN, FNP-BC
• Tina Nielsen, MS, RN, CEN, ACNS-BC
• Mollie Plotkin, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, SANE-P
• Julia Ponder, DNP, APRN, CEN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C
• Kathleen Zielinski, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC

ENA's Annual Achievement Awards recognize individuals who exemplify exceptional performance in professional practice, innovation, leadership or advocacy.

The Frank L. Cole Nurse Practitioner Award highlights excellence as a nurse practitioner in emergency care. The NP is recognized by peers, nursing and physician colleagues, and patients as a clinical expert who delivers compassionate, competent care in an emergency care setting. The recipient is actively involved in promoting the role of NPs and strengthening their image in emergency care.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist Award recognizes excellence as a clinical nurse specialist in the emergency care setting. The CNS is recognized by the emergency department staff as an expert, in practice or education, who makes significant contributions to practice or to the professional development of others.

Click here to view the awards

The Advanced Practice CONNECT Community is a space for members to network, ask questions and focus on topics relevant to advanced practice. All ENA members with advanced practice credentials are automatically added to the community. Already a member? Click here to log in and access the community! Not a member? Learn more about membership here.

APAC is excited to share the development of a reference library, which is available now through the AP Connect Community. To access these APRN-specific guidelines and recommendations in clinical practice, visit here and select the “APRN Practice Resource Library” folder.

A special thank you to the following contributors for their help in the resource library development: Heather Burgett, Meg Carmen, Nancy Denke, Bill Fiebig, David House, Audrey Snyder, and Julie Wescott.

Are you looking for a way to share your expertise and support ENA members? Get involved by signing up to be a mentor! Learn more.