She has a Bachelor’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Regina, a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Victoria, a Master’s degree and PhD in Nursing from the University of British Columbia. Her areas of research interest are focused on how to improve older adult care and nursing education. She has extensive clinical experience prior to coming to academia working with older people in hospitals and community care. Dahlke has published in journals specializing in gerontological nursing, gerontological education, as well as geriatrics and gerontology.