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llg, PhD, RN · Feb 17, 2009

At what point in your career are you? There aren't a lot of immediate benefits. However, if you are looking for a job ... or may be looking for a job ... it might be worth it to have it on your resume. Also, if you were to be active in your chapter and meet nursing leaders in your community, those contacts could help you get a job. In this economy, that benefit might be worth the price.

For other people (like me), membership is worth it becuase it is one way I support the development of the nursing profession. I don't get any real direct benefit from the organization ... but I like the idea of being a member of my profession's honor society ... and I like that my dues are used to support scholarly activity within my chosen profession.

In other words ... I am a member not because of "what's in it for me," but rather "how I contribute to my profession." It's a philsophy similar to the famouse JFK quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

So, if you want to contribute to nursing by supporting this scholarly organization ... or if you think you mght benefit from having it on your resume ... or if you might benefit from the connections you can make by being active in the organization ... then it might be worth it for you. But if you are not interested in those things, there is not that much in it directly for the individual member.

allnurses Guide · Feb 17, 2009

I paid to join because I never made any honor societies as an undergrad, it make me feel good I did that well in grad school, to be absolutely honest.

I get to wear the cords at graduation, and I've noticed that all the professors at my university proudly have the signs on their doors, as well as the faculty at the comm. college where I'm starting to teach. I think its bigger in the education world than the hospital arena. My ED department manager congratulated me on it. My kids were cheering at the induction ceremony. :yeah:

scribblerpnp · Feb 17, 2009

I would like to add that if you turn it down, there is a good chance that you will never be able to join later on- unless you further your education and re qualify for induction. But if you pay the first year's fee and then decide you don't like it and decide to not renew your membership fee the next year, you are still a member- just "inactive. So 20 years from now if you decide it is to your benefit to get back into STTI, you can re-activate your membership.

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Esther2007 · Feb 17, 2009

I would join if I were you. I belong to Phi Betta kappa for the last 3 years. I did get a scholarship last semester. It also looks good on your resume. Go for it!

Trauma Columnist · Feb 17, 2009

I joined also for the first year but after that I couldn't justify the money. I get much more clinical information from the ENA (emergency nurses association) as well as ANNA (american nephrology nurses association). The journal they publish is research-based and to be honest, I hated research and stats and just wanted the nitty gritty of how to improve my APN practice.

Rene3 · Feb 17, 2009

Congratulations LuvPedsNrsg!!!

Consider this, only a few nurses were invited to the society every year. The prestige, belongingness , support for future research endeavor is worth every penny. You can use every edge you can get to get ahead among your peers in todays very competitive nursing environment. STTI is well known all over the world. It is an international organization with the bulk of its membership US based. The current leadership is trying to make it truly international. I agree it is pricy, I have to scrape the barrel to pay the membership fee but I did not regret it. I agree, it looks real nice on your resume . It is extra special for a foreign educated nurse like me to be considered for membership in an honor society by my peers in the US .

You were invited for your potential to lead. The door is wide open...

WELCOME!!!

fasolagrrl · Feb 17, 2009

Yes, join. It doesn't hurt, and it might help. It is another avenue for opportunity when you are out of school and in the world of work. I plan to use my membership in the organization as a vehicle to support the nursing students at my eventual alma mater. It probably also looks good on a resume.

NeoPediRN · Feb 17, 2009

I joined because I like being part of something big. It hasn't done anything for me at this point in my career but I like the idea of networking and supporting future nurses. It also makes me proud knowing only the top 1/3 of the nursing class is invited to join. It's a reminder of how hard we worked and continue to work.

LuvPedsNrsg · Feb 18, 2009

I will be joining. Thank you for all of your input :) it is an honor to be invited to join

dorimar, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

It is an honor to be invited, and you do have to be invited to join. I myself do not think it is that costly compared to some other nursing organizations. I would definitely join if I were you.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Feb 19, 2009

I was a member for a few yrs but it got pricey, I still put it on my resume thoUGH