Sigma Theta Tau worth it?

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2017

The induction ceremony was nice, but after that you are only as involved as you want to be. I've never even been to a meeting, as they are held in a different city. If you don't accept now, it may be harder to join later (it isn't an openended invitation). After your membership expires in a year, you can simply go inactive and only re-up when you need it. The membership does give you access to quite a few resources.

I don't know how competitive your local job market is, but STT is an honor. It counts toward my clinical ladder here, where we have to list "points" in various categories, and belonging to a professional organization is one of them. Just about all of my professors (masters program) were members, and the faculty where I work all have their certificates on the wall.

LessValuableNinja · Jan 20, 2017

Worth it? Absolutely.

The induction ceremony is like most: intro, keynote speaker, more talking, inductees walking and smiling, snacks.

If you want it to take no time, it can take none. It does look good on applications, and offers tons of networking opportunies. Free ceus and such too, but so do AACN and others. I mean, there are a lot more benefits than that, depending on what you want to do in life.

Thanksforthedonuts, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2017

The induction ceremony was nice, but after that you are only as involved as you want to be. I've never even been to a meeting, as they are held in a different city. If you don't accept now, it may be harder to join later (it isn't an openended invitation). After your membership expires in a year, you can simply go inactive and only re-up when you need it. The membership does give you access to quite a few resources.
I don't know how competitive your local job market is, but STT is an honor. It counts toward my clinical ladder here, where we have to list "points" in various categories, and belonging to a professional organization is one of them. Just about all of my professors (masters program) were members, and the faculty where I work all have their certificates on the wall.

Thank you for your response, I like the idea of joining essentially and then becoming inactive in the next years until I find a true need for it. Thanks for the tip!

I am not sure how competitive our market is at the moment... so that might be a hint that it is not too bad in my area? I read from older posts here that it helped a lot of new grads during the recession however, I am not sure how applicable that would be now especially in a not so competitive market.

LessValuableNinja · Jan 20, 2017

Residencies are usually much more competitive than the general job market.

Thanksforthedonuts, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2017

Worth it? Absolutely.
The induction ceremony is like most: intro, keynote speaker, more talking, inductees walking and smiling, snacks.
If you want it to take no time, it can take none. It does look good on applications, and offers tons of networking opportunies. Free ceus and such too, but so do AACN and others. I mean, there are a lot more benefits than that, depending on what you want to do in life.

Thanks for the information! I wasn't sure if the induction ceremony takes place during our pinning ceremony or if it was a separate ceremony. I have gathered from your post that it is separate. I did search the STTI website and it did not go into too much detail but I was somewhat expecting that it would not.

I am very interested in the networking opportunities as I have a strong desire to combine nursing with business either by starting my own business or take part of management somehow in a larger setting. I am just looking for direction in how to approach that. STTI might just be the start I need. :)

amoLucia · Jan 20, 2017

Sigma can provide an invaluable network of contacts. And I always listed my membership on my resume. I believe that that connection sealed a position for me when my Dean recognized my name from our Sigma chapter as I recognized hers.

Sigma appeals most to nsg faculty and researchers. That job was for an adjunct clinical faculty position.

You can be a member 'in name' and be relatively inactive. Or you can attend local chapter meetings and become as participatory as you wish. All my co-instructor faculty were Sigma members so it was like we had our own mini-chapter at work.

You can also consider dual chapter memberships if you work or school out of your local district.

PS - this may sound silly, but I always attached my Sigma key pin to my SON pin. I always felt it was an 'honor'.