Induction into the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is indeed an honor—not just any honor, but one bestowed by other nurses. It is recognition that you are the best and the brightest. You are not just the most likely to succeed, you are the most likely to lead—whether that leadership is demonstrated through clinical practice, nursing education or nursing research. You are the future leaders of the profession of nursing.
I’m hoping that you do, indeed, feel honored. It’s pretty easy to feel that way during a formal induction ceremony, with congratulatory words and expression of high hopes for the future, but what about five years from now? Ten years from now? Will this induction ceremony still have meaning to you? Will it still feel like an honor? Or will Sigma Theta Tau International have become just another organization that publishes a journal that you may or may not read, or holds a meeting that you may or may not attend? Will it be just another organization to which you somewhat begrudgingly send your dues? Will you be asking yourself and others, “Sigma Theta Tau, so what?”
My message to you is this: The “so what” of your induction and membership in the Honor Society of Nursing is up to you! It is not just about meetings attended, or not; journals read, or not; dues paid, or not. Membership in Sigma Theta Tau International is not about the organization; it’s about you.
It’s about whether the practice of nursing throughout your career reflects the scholarship and professional attributes that have brought you here tonight. It’s about whether you have become the leader you have the ability to become. It’s about whether you have truly made a difference—for patients, families, colleagues and the profession of nursing.
 |
| Mary Ann Mertz |
The Greek letters Sigma, Theta and Tau represent the Greek words storgé, tharsos and timé, which mean love, courage and honor, respectively. Making a difference and being a leader require you to possess all three of these attributes and to act accordingly.
Love
- You must love and care for yourself. Without that, you cannot care for others.
- You must love the profession of nursing—not uncritically, but unconditionally. Without that, you will just go through the motions.
- You must love people—when they are at their best and when they are at their worst, when they are healthy and when they are sick.
Courage
- You must have the courage to know what is right, even when others may tell you it’s wrong.
- You must have the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult to do so.
- You must have the courage to do what is right for the patient, even when it’s not what you would choose for yourself.
Honor
- You must honor—respect—yourself, for there will be times when you feel no one else does.
- You must honor—respect—the profession of nursing, both by holding onto and, when warranted, by letting go of practices and traditions.
- You must have a deep and profound respect for all people, and accept as an honor their allowing you to participate in their living and dying.
A nursing career that exemplifies love, courage and honor—that’s the “so what” of Sigma Theta Tau International. RNL
Mary Ann Mertz, EdD, MN, RN, is assistant professor at the College of Nursing, Kearney Campus, of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing.
