SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING, LAMBDA OMEGA CHAPTER
The purposes of the organization are to:
- Recognize superior achievement.
- Recognize the development of leadership qualities.
- Foster high professional standards.
- Encourage creative work.
- Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession.
Mission
Sigma Theta Tau International is committed to fostering excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. The society promotes the use of nursing research in health care delivery and makes its resources available to all people and institutions interested in the latest knowledge in nursing care.
Overview
Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, is dedicated to improving the health of people worldwide through increasing the scientific base of nursing practice. Its members are nursing scholars committed to the pursuit of excellence in clinical practice, education, research and leadership.
The Society believes that broadening the base of nursing knowledge through knowledge development, dissemination and use offers great promise for promoting a healthier populace. To achieve this goal, Sigma Theta Tau International is committed to furthering the use of nursing research in health care delivery as well as in public policy. It sustains, supports and interprets nursing's development and provides vision for the future of the discipline and health care through its network of worldwide community of nurse scholars. It is a non-political organization that makes available its diverse resources to all people and institutions interested in the scientific knowledge base of the nursing profession.
The Society's 220,000 scholars live and work in 73 nations, and are inducted into Sigma Theta Tau through one of its 356 honor societies located at colleges and universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Australia
Sigma Theta Tau International ranks as the second largest nursing organization in the U.S. and one of the five largest in the world. Its annual budget exceeds $4 million, and has been balanced for the last two decades.
Chapter Officers
Current Officers
President: Carol Howdyshell
President-elect: Vicky Parker
Vice-President: Renee Sparks
Treasurer: Lauren Gillian
Secretary: Ronald Vance
University Advisor: Kathleen Rose-Grippa
Past Presidents
Karla Rusk
Sandra Untied
Bethany Jaggers
Ann Brown
Sharon Denham
Karen Marshall
Kate Tennant
Sharon Mullen
Sharon Denham
Region 4 Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International
Region 4 Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
550 West North Street·Indianapolis·IN 46202
Phone: 317-634-8171· Fax: 317-634-8188
Toll free for international: 1-800-634-7575-1
http://www.stti.iupui.edu/
History
Sigma Theta Tau was founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University. The founders chose the name from the initials of the Greek words "Storge," "Tharos" and "Tima" meaning "love," "courage" and "honor." Modern nursing was barely 20 years old when Mary Tolle, Edith Moore, Marie Hippensteel, Dorothy Garrigus, Elizabeth Russell and Elizabeth McWilliams met to found a Society to advance the status of nursing as a profession. They recognized the value of scholarship and the importance of excellence in practice. With the full idealism of women forging pathways of change in the 1920s, they wanted to build a framework to encourage future leaders to effectively improve health care.
By 1936, Sigma Theta Tau was the first organization in the U.S. to fund nursing research. Since 1936, the Society has underwritten more than 250 grants to cultivate new knowledge. Most research grants have been "seed" grants--small grants which often begin a whole body of research. The grants, peer reviewed and selected by a panel of nursing research experts, are often the first recognition of potent concepts that eventually lead to major, wide-scale research projects and innovation in the nursing profession. Many Sigma Theta Tau nurses have also been privileged to receive generous support for their scientific endeavors from corporate and private philanthropies.
During the last decade, Sigma Theta Tau International's House of Delegates supported a 10-year strategic plan, "Actions for the 1990's." These actions established the four major goals of the Society: knowledge development, knowledge dissemination, knowledge utilization, and resource management.
International Center for Nursing Scholarship
In 1989 the Society built and dedicated the International Center for Nursing Scholarship and in so doing, transformed its mission into reality. The Center is unique to the nursing profession - perhaps unique to worldwide health care. It was designed to serve as a "think tank," a home for nursing professionals. Here, the greatest minds in nursing gather to envision and implement methods to improve health care throughout the world by drawing on the profession's collective expertise, scholarship and excellence. It is the focal site for mentoring nurses at varying levels of their professional careers, thereby promoting the leadership future of the discipline.
International Registry of Nursing Research
The Registry of Nursing Research is an electronic research resource that is maintained by Sigma Theta Tau International, the International Honor Society of Nursing. It contains over 11,000 studies. There are 2 groups who make the Registry a success: 1) the Researchers themselves who provide the data about themselves and their research by registering and 2) the clinicians, students, and teachers who use the Registry.
The Registry is unique in the world: research findings are indexed by variable or phenomenon of study. Of course, the Registry is also indexed in the traditional way by keywords but with keywords that are provided by the researchers themselves.
All nurse researchers from any country may register -- they do not have to be STTI members. The registration must be in the English language, however.
Studies are not peer reviewed for quality. It is up to the individual registrant to provide enough information about his or her work to allow the users to make their own determinations of relevance and quality.
Searching is free to all STTI members and any researcher who is not an STTI member is given a free 6-month subscription to the Library when they register a study.
To make comments or ask questions, please call the Library at (317) 634-8171, or toll-free at (888) 634-7575 (US/Canada), or email webmaster@stti.iupui.edu or library@stti.iupui.edu.
Publications
Members of the society receive both "Image: Journal of Nursing Scholarship" and "Reflections".
As the official journal of Sigma Theta Tau International, "Image: Journal of Nursing Scholarship" is one of the most widely read and respected health care journals published. With a circulation over 125,000, Image is published quarterly, contains peer-reviewed manuscripts and thought- provoking pieces representing research by some of the most respected nursing researchers in the world.
"Reflections" is Sigma Theta Tau International's official magazine. Published quarterly and with a circulation of 125,000 worldwide, "Reflections" has become the society's most popular publication. A beautiful, four-color news magazine, "Reflections"covers today's international nursing leaders, their research, and its impact on global health care.
The Online Journal of Knowledge Synthesis for Nursing provides full text, critical reviews of research pertinent to clinical practice problems that nurses can access and use immediately. By making available timely, synthesized knowledge to guide nursing practice and research, the journal helps the nursing community stay abreast of the vast amount of information published in nursing journals and other published nursing research. The journal is peer-reviewed by teams of clinical specialists and clinical researchers. Annual subscriptions are available and can be secured by contacting Sigma Theta Tau International.
All articles onclude:
- Statement of the practice problem
- Research summaries
- Annotated critical references
- Practice implications
- Research needed
- Search strategies
- References used
Membership Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria Goal
All potential members meeting the criteria be invited to membership.
Criteria are to be applied equally to all.
That the basis for membership eligibility be understood: People will be recognized for the level of their achievement compared to their peer group.
What is the criteria for undergraduate students to be inducted into Sigma Theta Tau? Is it only GPA?
Yes. Because achievement of superior academic scholarship demonstrates leadership, creativity and overall ability in nursing, membership at this level is based upon the student's grade point average. The criteria for membership for undergraduate students are as follows: complete one-half of the nursing curriculum; have at least a 3.0 GPA and rank in the upper 35% of their graduating class.
How many students can be inducted in one school year?
All students meeting eligibility criteria will be invited to join. The number of baccalaureate inductees must not exceed 35% of the graduating class.
Can a chapter invite undergraduate students who fall below the top 35% of eligible candidates if not all of the top 35% accept their invitations to join Sigma Theta Tau?
No. Only the upper 35% of the graduating class who meet the eligibility criteria may be invited to membership. (Note: The only exception to the upper 35% is the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has an overall GPA of below 3.0 or a GPA that is below the upper 35% , but a GPA in nursing of 3.0 or higher. This rare exception criterion is used for truly exceptional situations and should not be used on a regular basis.)
Are RNs a part of the B.S.N. class or are they considered for membership separately?
RNs should be considered for membership as a separate peer group, i.e. when a generic program has an RN track, RNs and generic students are considered for membership with their respective peer group and not as a composite group.
Can the chapter elect candidates for membership by mail ballot?
Chapters are not to elect candidates for membership by mail ballot. The names are to be kept confidential until after the vote has been taken at a publicized meeting of the members. The names of candidates not elected remain confidential even after the meeting.
Community Leader Membership
Potential members with at least a baccalaureate degree who have demonstrated marked achievement in education, practice, research, administration, or publication may apply for membership as a community leader. Degrees are expected to be in nursing; however, occasionally a bachelor's degree in another field is acceptable if the achievement in nursing is exceptional.
As an active Sigma Theta Tau International member you have the unique opportunity to come in contact with highly qualified international nurse scholars. While there may not be a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International where you are currently living, you have the opportunity to recommend your qualified nurse colleagues for membership as community leaders in your chapter. Membership in Sigma Theta Tau International will allow your colleagues to become part of the Society's worldwide network of nurse scholars and will facilitate global networking opportunities for your colleagues and your chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sigma Theta Tau International?
Sigma Theta Tau International is the honor society of nursing. It is committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. The Society promotes the use of nursing research in health care delivery and makes its resources available to all people and institutions interested in the latest knowledge in nursing care. Sigma Theta Tau International, the only honor society of nursing in the world, was founded in 1922 and has a membership of over 220,000 members active in 76 countries. It has chapters located at more than 400 college and university schools of nursing worldwide. 43% of the Society's members are clinicians, 27% are administrators or supervisors, and 20% are educators. 62% of its members hold master's and/or doctoral degrees.
How do people become members?
By accepting an invitation to membership from a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. Chapters are listed in the Sigma Theta Tau International Information Brochure.
How do nursing students qualify for membership?
Membership as a student is only possible if enrolled in a nursing program with a chapter.
Undergraduate Students:
Have completed at least one-half of the nursing curriculum, rank in the upper 35% of their graduating class, have a minimum of a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), meet the expectation of academic integrity, and have two endorsements.
Note: Membership at the undergraduate level is based on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a four point scale or its equivalence. The GPA is computed using credits obtained from the school in which the student is currently enrolled. Transfer credits, where the grade is accepted by the university as part of the new cumulative scholastic record, may be included when computing the GPA.
RN Students:
When enrolled in baccalaureate programs the same undergraduate criteria applies. However, RN's are considered for membership with their respective peer group (all RN students) and not as a composite group with generic students.
Note: If a RN student has challenged courses or is a transfer student and has completed one-half the nursing courses, the GPA is required to be based on a minimum of 12 earned nursing or non-nursing credits completed at the college or university where currently enrolled.
Graduate Students:
Have completed at least one-fourth of their nursing curriculum. Masters students must have a GPA of 3.5, doctoral candidates are required to have a GPA of 3.75. Both must meet the expectation of academic integrity.
Note: Transfer credits interpreted by a college or university as part of the cumulative and scholastic record and accepted as grades may be included when computing the GPA.
How can a nurse qualify for membership after graduation?
Potential members with at least a baccalaureate degree who have demonstrated marked achievement in education, practice, research, administration, or publication may apply for membership as a Community Leader. Degrees are expected to be in nursing; however, occasionally a baccalaureate degree in another field is acceptable if the achievement in nursing is exceptional.
May a student apply for membership if they are in an educational program without a chapter?
No, students become members only in the school they are attending which must have a chapter. However, if the undergraduate or graduate program has national accreditation, the students may work with the faculty and graduates to develop a chapter.
Are graduates from a school which has a chapter eligible to apply for membership in the chapter after graduation, if they did not apply as students?
If the graduate qualified for membership while a student (as described in #3), graduated within the last year, and was unaware of their eligibility, the individual may request to apply under student criteria. Otherwise, 5 years post graduation, the alumnus may apply to any chapter as a Community Leader if they meet the criteria in #4.
Are RN's eligible for membership if they have graduated from an associate degree, diploma or nondirection bachelor's program?
RN's from these programs are not eligible; however, if high achievers from these programs enroll in an undergraduate program or graduate program with a chapter, they could be considered for membership when they meet qualifications listed in #3.
Past Presidents of Sigma Theta Tau
Dorthy Ford Buschmann 1929-1934
Florence Parisa 1934-1938
Ruth P. Kuehn 1938-1941
Katherine Densford Dreves 1941-1947
Frances (George) Steward 1947-1951
Thelma Dodds 1951-1955
Myrtle K. Aydelotte 1955-1957
Lois Austin 1957-1959
Edna Treasure Whitley 1959-1962
Catherine McClure 1962-1965
Virginia Crenshaw 1965-1971
Ruth Hepler 1971-1975
Sr. Rosemary Donley, SC 1975-1981
Carol Lindeman 1981-1983
Lucie S. Kelly 1983-1985
Vernice D. Ferguson 1985-1987
Angela Barron McBride 1987-1989
Billye J. Brown 1989-1991
Beth C. Vaughan-Wrobel 1991-1993
Fay L. Bower 1993-1995
Melanie C. Dreher 1995-1997
Eleanor J. Sullivan 1997-1999
Patricia Thompson 2000-2002
May L. Wykle 2003-2005