no online education, and learning materials would have to be constructed from within the hospital. While there is much that can be learned from a large teaching hospital, limiting one’s self to this model is impractical and inefficient. Open System Perspective One of the challenges our hospital has encountered is who bears the responsibility for the cost of continuing education. As one can imagine, the cost and energy required to obtaining a BSN from an ADN or diploma degree is both expensive and requires a significant time commitment from the learner. Many nurses in this position are within a handful of years to retirement, so important decisions must be made. In an effort to lessen the burden to current employees who want to advance their education, an agreement between Boise State University and Saint Alphonsus has been made to train ADN and diploma RNs to a BSN without cost to the employee. There are a finite number of these positions available each year, but it does give motivated employees an option to continue their education for free. This utilization of our local university is an example of using energy from the outside environment to produce BSNs who then are in compliance with the new standards set forth by hospital leadership.