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Several years ago, our small community hospital merged with the larger tertiary care hospital in our city. As decisions were made regarding system-wide revisions of nursing policies and procedures, many of the procedures previously followed at the smaller hospital were discarded in favor of the conventional beliefs of the majority. Dissatisfied with this approach, one staff nurse became actively involved in research utilization. The results of her early work on integrating the empirical evidence for the use of buffered lidocaine prior to intervenous cannulation led to multiple system-wide challenges and heightened involvement in the Clinical Scholar Program. A staff nurse in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care unit expanded her skills and knowledge in the critique and integration of nursing science to address the multiple patient care issues experienced in her practice. Her efforts include developing a non-verbal pain scale for adults and an interdisciplinary protocol for managing postoperative nausea and vomiting in the cardiac surgery patient. With their expanded knowledge, these nurses now serve as clinical leaders and mentor in their respective units. Their presentations will focus on the challenges, rewards, and improved patient outcomes as the results of their efforts and, most importantly, how their experiences as Clinical Scholars has shaped the Renewal of their Professional Spirits.