We’re kicking off our Honor Society Series and we can’t think of a better organization to start with during this time than Sigma Theta Tau: The International Honor Society of Nursing! 

Sigma’s mission is simple: “Developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere.” According to their website, Sigma was founded by a small group of nurses at Indiana University Training School of Nursing in 1922 and chose the name from Greek words meaning love, courage, and honor. Their vision is to transform global healthcare by connecting and empowering nursing leaders.

With 135,000+ active members in roughly 540 chapters spanning over 100 countries, Sigma became the first US organization to fund nursing research. It currently supports its values “through its numerous professional development products and services that focus on the core areas of education, leadership, career development, evidence-based nursing, research, and scholarship.” In order to be invited to join the prestigious organization, students must hold a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and promote excellence in the nursing field.

Sigma’s colors are purple and white and members wear a 2-color intertwined honor cord on graduation day. Graduates have the option to wear a purple and white stole in addition to the cord. The organization leaves it up to the institution as to how the cords and stoles are worn and allows Sigma grads who become faculty to wear during commencement as well.

We appreciate all nurses and healthcare professionals who risk their health and safety for the benefit of others and look forward to seeing The Class of 2020 nursing students recognized on their graduation day! Our team will be cheering extra loud this year.

Photo by Rusty Watson on Unsplash