Pi Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

Chapter History
On May 15, 1996, Dr. Kathryn Schweer, Dean of Academic Affairs at Allen College, convened a small group of people interested in establishing a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International at Allen College. The guidelines for establishing a chapter were reviewed, and the group enthusiastically decided to become a Steering Committee for the Allen College Nursing Honor Society (ACNHS).
 
Allen College Nursing Honor Society held four induction ceremonies, inducting a total of one hundred thirty-five persons composed of the student body, alumni, community leaders and faculty members.
 
The Allen College Nursing Honor Society completed the work necessary for submission of charter application in September 1998. This was followed by an evaluation visit by Dr. Ruth Marcott from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in April 1999. Following Dr. Marcott's visit and recommendation, Allen College Nursing Honor Society was approved by Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors for presentation of our petition for charter to the House of Delegates.
 
The petition for charter was approved by the House of Delegates at the Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention November 6-10, 1999. Presenting the petition was Mary Thoms, President, and Mary Brown, President-Elect. Allen College's honor society conducted a chartering ceremony on March 27, 2000. The honor society was officially chartered as Pi Kappa #392 Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International on March 27, 2000.
Membership (Students & Community Members)
  • Students identified as attaining academic excellence and leadership will receive lifetime induction into the Society.
  • Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to community leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing.
  • Undergraduate eligibility consists of having a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and being in the top 35% of the class.
  • Graduate students must have a GPA of 3.5 or above.
  • Community members are inducted as nurse leaders who are registered nurses legally recognized to practice in their country with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field and have demonstrated achievement in nursing.
  • As of March 10, 2010, Pi Kappa Chapter has inducted over 500 persons into the Honor Society.

Note: An individual may hold membership in one or more chapters (dual membership) or can transfer from a previous chapter to Pi Kappa.

Community Membership Criteria

  1. Registered Nurse - Licensed for 5 or more years.
  2. Bachelors Degree (need not be in nursing).
  3. Marked achievement in nursing education, practice, research, administration, or publication.

Student Membership Criteria

Undergraduates must:

  1. Have completed ½ of the curriculum at Allen College.
  2. Have a GPA of > 3.0.
  3. Rank in the upper 35% of their graduating class.

In addition to the above criteria, RN students must have completed 12 credit hours at Allen College.

Graduate students must:

  1. Have completed ¼ of the nursing curriculum at Allen College.
  2. Have a GPA of > 3.5 (Masters).

Do you know a colleague who may be eligible for Sigma Theta Tau membership?
If so, you can nominate him or her as a community member in Pi Kappa. Candidates must meet specific criteria. The criteria varies depending on whether or not the candidate is an Allen College nursing student or a professional from within the nursing community.

Send or call nominees' names to our chapter counselor: Kristen.Jasper2@allencollege.edu or (319) 226-2095.

Top 10 Reasons to Join Sigma Theta Tau International
  1. Wear a Sigma Theta Tau honor cord at graduation and other STTI activities.
  2. Enjoy Internet access to career opportunities and literature searches.
  3. Use your membership to demonstrates honor and recognition on your resume/CV.
  4. Find information on financial support in the form of grants, scholarships and awards.
  5. Find career and professional development opportunities in leadership, research, publication and chapter programs.
  6. Experience networking and mentoring with nursing scholars by participating in International Honor Society activities.
  7. Receive STTI publications: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship and Reflections on Nursing Leadership.
  8. Obtain current information on issues in nursing practice, education and research.
  9. Be recognized for your academic achievement and exceptional contribution to the profession of nursing.
  10. Belong to the only International Honor Society for Nurses!

(Top 10 list adapted from a list developed by Eta Nu Chapter of STTI)

 

Pi Kappa Newsletter

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