About Sigma
Our Vision
Connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare
Our Mission
Developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere
Strategic Goals
The Sigma board of directors has determined four strategic goals to guide the organization:
1. Grow in value for nurses globally
2. Recognize and promote nursing scholarship, leadership, and service
3. Expand and develop strategic relationships globally
4. Advance innovative and customized resources to develop nurse leaders
History
In 1922, six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, today known as Sigma, at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, which is now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The founders chose the name from the Greek words storgé, thárros, and timé, meaning love, courage, and honor. Sigma became incorporated in 1985 and is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax status in the United States. Learn more about Sigma's founders.
Membership Potential members who meet our eligibility criteria are invited to join Sigma – baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. Here are some additional facts about our membership:
Connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare
Our Mission
Developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere
Strategic Goals
The Sigma board of directors has determined four strategic goals to guide the organization:
1. Grow in value for nurses globally
2. Recognize and promote nursing scholarship, leadership, and service
3. Expand and develop strategic relationships globally
4. Advance innovative and customized resources to develop nurse leaders
History
In 1922, six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, today known as Sigma, at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, which is now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The founders chose the name from the Greek words storgé, thárros, and timé, meaning love, courage, and honor. Sigma became incorporated in 1985 and is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax status in the United States. Learn more about Sigma's founders.
Membership Potential members who meet our eligibility criteria are invited to join Sigma – baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. Here are some additional facts about our membership:
- Sigma has more than 135,000 active members.
- Members reside in more than 100 countries.
- Thirty-nine % of active members hold master’s and/or doctoral degrees; 51% are in staff positions; 19% are administrators or supervisors; 18% are faculty/academics; and 12% percent are in advanced practice.
- There are roughly 540 chapters at more than 700 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
- Sigma communicates regularly with more than 100 nurse leaders who have expressed interest in establishing chapters globally, including those in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Spain.