Kate Redlinger’s nursing journey is a testament to the transformative power of healthcare, inspired by the most personal of influences: her mother.

Growing up in Littleton, Colorado, Redlinger witnessed firsthand the profound impact a nurse can have. She vividly recalls a Christmas Eve when her mother was called away from family celebrations to save a woman's life during an ectopic pregnancy.

"I always thought that what she did was very selfless and admirable," Redlinger remembers.

That early inspiration set her on a path of continuous education and dedication. After earning her BSN from Oregon Health & Science University, Redlinger chose the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus, drawn by its reputation and community connections. She didn't just stop at her initial degrees—a Master's in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate—but is now completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

"Learning fills my cup in a different way," she says with a smile. "There's always something to learn. You never know it all."

A Commitment to Clinical Practice and Education

This philosophy drives her dual commitment to clinical practice and education. By day, she provides critical care at Denver Health, working with patients in the intensive care unit. By evening, she's teaching the next generation of nurse practitioners, preparing them for an increasingly autonomous healthcare landscape.

“Learning fills my cup in a different way,” she says. “ There’s always something to learn. You never know it all.”  

"A nurse practitioner is so important to healthcare," Redlinger explains. "For nurse practitioners to stay relevant, we need to be excellent."

Her work extends beyond individual patient care. Through her DNP program, she's focused on quality improvement—collecting data and implementing changes that can transform daily healthcare practices. Her particular passion lies in serving disadvantaged populations, believing that excellent healthcare is a fundamental right.

"I want to improve the care we provide, especially for disadvantaged populations," she says. "And that's what nursing is all about."

Redlinger's journey reflects a broader transformation in nursing—a profession that demands continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep commitment to patient outcomes. She represents a new generation of healthcare professionals who see their role not just as treating illness, but as advocates for systemic improvement.

As she prepares to complete her DNP, Redlinger stands at the intersection of clinical expertise and educational leadership. Her message is clear: in healthcare, there are no finish lines, only new horizons of learning and service.

"You need to be really good as a nurse practitioner," she tells her students. "Let's get there together."

And together, they will.