  We introduce a variational approach for the Quantum Inverse Scattering Method
to exactly solve a class of Hamiltonians via Bethe ansatz methods. We undertake
this in a manner which does not rely on any prior knowledge of integrability
through the existence of a set of conserved operators. The procedure is
conducted in the framework of Hamiltonians describing the crossover between the
low-temperature phenomena of superconductivity, in the
Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory, and Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC).
The Hamiltonians considered describe systems with interacting Cooper pairs and
a bosonic degree of freedom. We obtain general exact solvability requirements
which include seven subcases which have previously appeared in the literature.
