An Opportunity to Lead: State Coalitions

The current healthcare environment presents healthcare leaders with a number of challenges, many of which are generated from the continuing rise in cost, workforce shortages, and decreased access, especially for our most vulnerable patients—all leading to a declining health status of a nation. The ability of any leader to provide effective leadership in today's environment is challenging and requires significant intellectual, human, and financial resources. For the nursing profession, this presents a unique dilemma, one that Johansen1 views as an opportunity—a “dilemma flipping” opportunity. Dilemma-flipping opportunities arise when two opposing ideas can be merged into an opportunity for change.