Sigma (Pi Chapter)

Society Mission

The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.  

Society Vision 

Sigma Theta Tau International's vision is to be the global organization of choice for nursing.

History 

In 1922, six nurses founded the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, which is now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, Ind., USA. The founders chose the name from the Greek words storgé, thárros, and timé, meaning "love," "courage," and "honor." STTI became incorporated in 1985 as Sigma Theta Tau International Inc., a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax status in the United States.

Membership 

STTI membership is by invitation only to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship. Nurses who exhibit exceptional achievements in nursing can join via the Nurse Leadership option.

Additional facts about our membership:  

• STTI has more than 135,000 active members.
• Members reside in more than 85 countries.
• 39 percent of active members hold master’s and/or doctoral degrees; 51 percent are in staff positions; 19 percent are administrators or supervisors; 18 percent are faculty/academics; and 12 percent are in advanced practice.
• There are roughly 500 chapters at approximately 695 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon , Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• STTI communicates regularly with more than 100 nurse leaders who have expressed interest in establishing chapters globally, including those in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Jamaica, Jordan, New Zealand, and Spain.  

More information on Sigma Theta Tau.

Sigma Theta Tau International's philosophy of membership eligibility is based upon the purposes of the Society. Membership is rewarded for achievement of the membership criteria of Sigma Theta Tau International. Awarding membership encourages, fosters, and actively supports further professional development, thus promoting nursing scholarship, leadership, creativity and commitment to nursing, fulfilling the purposes of the Honor Society. Members are inducted to encourage and recognize superior scholarship and/or leadership achievement in nursing. Membership is conferred solely on the basis of specified eligibility.

Undergraduate Students must:

• have completed half of the nursing curriculum;
• have at least a GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 grading scale);
• rank in the upper 35 percentile of the graduating class; and
• meet the expectation of academic integrity.

Registered Nurse Students must:

• have completed 12 credit hours at current school;
• have completed half of the nursing curriculum;
• have at least a GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 grading scale);
• rank in the upper 35 percentile of graduating class; and
• meet the expectation of academic integrity.

Graduate Students (Master's and Doctorate) must:

• have completed a quarter of the nursing curriculum;
• have at least a GPA of 3.5 (based on a 4.0 grading scale); and
• meet the expectation of academic integrity.

Nurse Leader Candidates must:

• be legally recognized to practice nursing in his/her country;
• have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field; and
• demonstrate achievement in nursing.

Apply Now

• Sigma, Pi Chapter Student Membership Form
• Nurse Leader Membership Application
• Non-UMSON Student Membership Application (for students at schools without a Sigma chapter)

Each year, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Pi Chapter offers a number of research grants and scholarships to the members of the chapter. The intent of these grants and scholarships are to support the mission and vision of STTI by advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. 

*The following applies to ALL research and practice grant awards:   

1. For investigators at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing (UMSON), you must complete the online form from the Office of Research.
2. Award funding is contingent on receiving IRB or IACUC approval.
3. Award recipients must present at STTI Pi Chapter’s annual business meeting (travel awards included). 

Visit the Pi Chapter homepage for announcements, a discussion board, and events.

Sigma Theta Tau Pi Chapter conducts electronic officer elections. To receive information about Pi Chapter and to participate in the leadership elections, please update your membership information, email, or renew your membership on the Sigma Theta Tau website.