Sigma Theta Tau

[heynow1313]

hey everyone.

i'm getting ready to graduate from an accelerated program in may of this year. i just received an invitation to join sigma theta tau. can any of you who are a member tell me about the perks? i know i can go on the website and talk to faculty about this... but i really want to know, honestly, from you all, what you have gained from membership.

my parents are asking what this "sorority" (ha ha!!) is all about and, frankly, i don't have a clue what to tell them. thanks!

[elkpark]

STT is not a "sorority," it's the international honor society of nursing (and it is international). They publish an excellent journal (which you get automatically with membership), put on good conferences and continuing education opportunities, and some discounts on professional-type stuff (I get a discount on my Liability Insurance premium each year). Some individual local chapters are v. active and offer great networking and mentoring opportunities for newer nurses (others, not so much ...). In some settings, particularly academic medical centers or schools of nursing, it's assumed that everyone will be a member and it would be odd (something lacking on your part) if you weren't.

Although they have lowered their standards for membership in recent years somewhat, it's still considered a honor and achievement to "make the cut" and be invited to join, and you never know when you're going to find yourself in a situation, professionally, where it will matter whether you are a member or not.

On the other hand, the focus is mostly academic and I'm sure there are lots of people here who will come along and post to tell you that it's completely meaningless and worthless. To each her/his own, I guess. :)