Induction into Eta Eta Chapter

The Eta Eta membership gathers at an annual Induction Ceremony to bestow on new members the honor, privilege and responsibility of membership in Sigma Theta Tau International. The ceremony includes:

Sigma Theta Tau International was founded in 1922 by six students of nursing at Indiana University. 

The founders named the honor society for the words: storgé, (Stor YEE), tharsos, (THAR os) and timé (Tih MEE). In the Greek language, these words mean love, courage and honor. The founders believed these to be enduring values that are at the root of the nursing profession - the foundation upon which the science grows and is used.

The society began with one chapter and six members. During the past 78 years, it has evolved to 406 chapters across the globe, with nearly 300,000 inducted members who live in more than 90 different countries. 

Significance of Insignia

Sigma Theta Tau is symbolized by three insignia: the coat-of-arms, the seal and the key. First, the coat-of-arms:

The coat-of-arms symbolizes the ideals of the honor society. The eye represents wisdom and discernment.  The stars are in recognition of the six founders. 

The scroll of learning bears the Greek letters, Sigma Theta Tau, the first letters of the Greek words: storgé, tharsos,  and timé - love, courage and honor. The pillars of stone denote service, professional endeavor and strength of leadership.      The lamp represents the lamp of knowledge.  The words on the banner are Sigma Theta Tau.  

The seal of Sigma Theta Tau International is the lamp of knowledge  surrounded by a circle containing the name of the society and the date of its founding, 1922.

The third insignia is the key, the symbol of scholarship. The cup denotes the satisfaction of professional life.  The circle of gold with its six stars represents our six founders.   The Greek letters in black - Sigma Theta Tau - represent our charge. The lamp is the lamp of learning.   The key symbolizes your nursing excellence.

We are dedicated to developing these pathways for professional excellence through the following goals:

• Develop members across the span of their careers.

• Build strong chapters and foster collaborative leadership.

• Advance global linkages at the organizational and member levels.

• Prepare and position nurses to lead in diverse, complex health-related environments.

• Advance the scientific base of nursing practice through the scholarship of research.

• Stimulate scholarly practice in the professional lives of members.

• Identify, secure and use a variety of resources to ensure the organization's future.

We are gathered to honor these nursing students and nurse leaders for their scholarship and leadership and we are privileged to induct them into the only honor society of nursing in the world. These individuals have met or exceeded rigorous standards and have demonstrated the ideal qualities of a scholar and/or a leader.

"I accept membership in Sigma Theta Tau International, and I pledge to fulfill the purposes and goals  of the Society."    

Signing of Chapter Register

Each inductee signs his or her name in lavender ink in the Chapter Register. This same register has been used since the chapter was chartered in 1984 so the inductee joins a distinguished group of nursing students and nurses. This connection is a partnership that integrates and renews nurses throughout their careers. Sigma Theta Tau's mission is to support the learning and professional development of our members, who strive to improve nursing care worldwide

Membership in this organization is not a destination. It is not the end of accomplishment. Each inductee will contribute directly to nursing excellence across the world in scholarship, research and leadership. Sigma Theta Tau International has become an active force for the benefit of health care and of nursing careers.