Organizational History Sigma Theta Tau International

 In 1922 six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, Ind, USA. The founders chose the name from the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos and Timé meaning "love," "courage" and "honor." The honor society became incorporated in 1985 as Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc., a not-for-profit organization.

Nursing Leadership & Research

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people. We support the learning and professional development of our members who strive to improve nursing care worldwide. The honor society has recognized the value of scholarship and excellence in nursing practice. In 1936 the honor society became the first U.S. organization to fund nursing research. Today, the honor society supports these 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. These products and services advance the learning and professional development of members and all nurses who strive to improve the health of the world’s people: The honor society, with its chapters and grant partners (corporations, associations and foundations), contributes more than $650,000 annually to nursing research through grants, scholarships and monetary awards. A number of education and research conferences are supported by the honor society, including a yearly research congress that presents the latest nursing research from around the world and a biennial convention that offers nursing’s best practices in clinical, scientific and leadership areas. Online continuing education offers peer-reviewed, interactive learning activities which are presented in a variety of learning formats including case studies, evidence-based articles and module courses. These activities are Web-linked to full-text articles and abstracts and are available for continuing education contact hours.

Membership

Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. More than 405,000 members have been inducted worldwide. More than 130,000 active members make Sigma Theta Tau International the second largest nursing organization in the world. Members reside in more than 92 countries. Sixty-one percent of active members hold master's and/or doctoral degrees. Sixty-nine percent are clinicians, 20 percent are administrators or supervisors and 20 percent are educators or researchers. There are 451 chapters on college campuses in Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania and the US.