Approach:  Potential Clinical Scholars were identified by clinical managers and through their activities in the Nursing Research and Professional Practice Councils.  Applications expressing interest and commitment in the Clinical Scholar program were submitted.  All were accepted. A series of eight workshops were taught collaboratively by the Director of Professional Practice and the visiting faculty.  Nurses attended the workshops on paid time and had an additional four hours during the pay period of the workshop to work on their project.  Participants self-selected into project teams.

Outcomes:  Six clinical projects were identified based on the interest of the participating nurses and the priorities of the facility.  Projects requiring interdisciplinary teams to change practice were initiated.  Unit-based shared leadership councils were used to communicate the findings of the research and evidence-based change interventions.  Membership in the project teams provided ongoing encouragement, opportunities to learn from each other as well as the faculty, and helped to maintain the high level of excitement and enthusiasm of the participants.

Conclusion and Implications for Practice and Research: An environment of evidence-based practice can be achieved through the active participation of Clinical Scholars.  Fewer challenges are encountered if staff possess the characteristics of Clinical Scholars;  a consistent spirit of inquiry and creativity, exemplified by a high level of curiosity, a continuous quest for learning, the capacity to reflect on their experiences, and the ability to seek out and use resources to improve clinical interventions, are selected as the early mentors.  The challenges and successes of these three experiences will be further developed as case studies along with plans for a collaborative translation research study.