Pain & Spine Institute - Excellence in Action Scholarship

A situation where I actually exemplified the pillar of being hungry occurred when I served as a student intern on the STEAM team and prepared a white paper for simulations. Although I had limited experience with technical writing or simulations, I was quite eager to learn how I could meaningfully contribute. As such a project would determine some main future goals and their implications that the team would carry and work for, it demanded determination, a very active and proactive approach, not being satisfied with only regular endeavors. To further the expectations, I engaged a couple of purposeful steps: dedicated time out of regularly attended meetings to extensive research inclusive, academic articles, industry published material, and case studies related to simulation methods necessary to create a knowledge baseline. This not only put me in a position where I could write with authority, but it also helped me understand innovative approaches that would prove beneficial to the paper. Along the way, I solicited feedback from my mentors and peers through every step of the process. I embraced constructive criticism as an opportunity for refinement in order to deliver a white paper that is as comprehensive and complete as possible. I also made the necessary initiative to work with team members on related tasks, helping in any way possible. When a colleague struggled to format data visualizations, for instance, I volunteered to help-even though it was outside the scope of my responsibilities. This helped promote teamwork and ensured that every aspect of the project was executed at the highest level. Because clear communication was paramount, I had to rewrite sections countless times to make the document concise yet comprehensive. I sought to ensure that stakeholders could easily understand the recommendations and, consequently, enhance the impact of the paper. By the end of my internship, the white paper had grown beyond the initial expectations of the team. It was used as a reference for all future simulation initiatives, helping secure additional resources and support from various stakeholders. Beyond the document itself, my efforts inspired greater collaboration within the team, setting a standard for high-quality work and mutual accountability. This experience taught me persistence, adaptability, and the hunger for excellence. It showed me that going that extra mile—be it through extensive research, collaboration, or even feedback—can make a huge difference in the results. The skills and mindset I developed during this experience are qualities I bring into every aspect of my life, particularly as I pursue a career in nursing. As a future nurse, I will continue to implement the hunger to grow, improve, and give meaningful contributions to my patients and teams. I can say that I will exceed the expectations of my patients through my representation, mastering new medical technologies, or even by being of assistance to colleagues-just as I did at this point in my journey with the STEAM team. This drive to excel enables me to make a lasting and positive difference for the people and organizations I serve.