Become a member

 

Prospective student members:

Please fill out the permission form to allow the School of Nursing to release your information to Sigma for membership invitations. More information for prospective student members can be found below.

Prospective Nurse Leader Members (for Registered Nurses):

Applications are taken at any time. Contact the Rho counselor for more information.

FORMER SIGMA MEMBERS

If you were previously inducted into Sigma, you do not need to re-apply to be a Rho member. You can join Rho Chapter by renewing your lapsed membership, transferring your current membership to Rho Chapter, or arranging a dual membership. Call Sigma Member Services at 1-888-634-7575.

Membership

Sigma membership provides valuable resources throughout your entire nursing career. Sigma membership enhances your resume; it is recognized by employers and graduate programs as an indicator of excellence. 

As a student, your membership is recognized at the School of Nursing Commencement through honor cords and in the commencement program. For students and professional nurse members, your membership provides:

  • Leadership development opportunities

  • Access to chapter-sponsored conferences

  • Access to chapter grants to support your scholarly projects and professional development

  • Opportunities for career assistance, connections with other nurse scholars, and Sigma publications

Even if you move, you can take your membership with you—Sigma has chapters in every U.S. state and across the world!

Undergraduate student membership

Guidelines

Sigma Rho Chapter is looking for students who have demonstrated the qualities of scholarship, leadership and service, integrity, and commitment to nursing. Information about how to apply for membership is distributed in the Fall term.  Students must complete the permissions form for the release of information to Sigma. Membership invitations come from the Sigma email, usually in January.
The criteria for membership for undergraduate students are:
  1. GPA of 3.5 or higher
  2. Completion of one half of the required nursing curriculum (courses whose numbers begin with the letter designation of "N") -- Usually junior or senior standing
  3. Academic integrity
Students who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered for membership if they meet the following criteria:
  1. GPA of 3.0 or higher
  2. Completion of 1/2 of the required nursing curriculum (courses whose numbers begin with the letter designation of "N")
  3. Evidence of involvement in nursing-related service and leadership activities (e.g. student government, school committees, membership in professional or student groups such as MNA or MNSA, health-related community or church activities such as health teaching or health screening, volunteer activities, research activities other than those done for course credit, professional nursing awards, professional activities in a nursing unit or hospital such as quality assurance committee)
  4. Academic integrity
 
Students who do not meet the GPA requirement may contact the Faculty Counselor to request consideration for membership. They must also submit their resume showing evidence of service and leadership activities. The Sigma Membership Committee reviews resumes to determine eligibility for membership.
 
The ceremony for induction into membership is usually held in April.

Graduate student membership

Guidelines

Rho Chapter of Sigma welcomes applications from graduate students who have demonstrated the qualities of scholarship, leadership and service, integrity, and commitment to nursing. Any student who has met the criteria below is welcome to request a membership application by contacting the Rho Chapter Faculty Counselor.
 
The criteria for membership for graduate students are:
  1. Completion of 1/4 of the required graduate curriculum
  2. Achieve academic excellence. (The equivalent GPA of a 3.5 or higher.)
  3. Meet the expectation of academic integrity. 
  4. Students who are legally recognized to practice in their country and have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in any field, are also eligible to be considered as a Nurse Leader member at any point in the program.

Information about how to apply for membership is distributed in the Fall term. Students must complete the permission form for the release of information to Sigma. Membership invitations come from Sigma by email, usually in January.

The ceremony for induction into membership is usually held in April. 

Nurse Leader membership

Guidelines

Nurses with a minimum of a bachelor's degree who have demonstrated achievement in nursing are encouraged to apply for membership as Nurse Leaders in Sigma. This membership category recognizes nurses who have demonstrated leadership, creative work, support for professional standards, and commitment to scholarly nursing. Graduate students can apply in this category at any time.
 
Nurse Leader candidates must:
  • Be legally recognized to practice nursing in his/her country
  • Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field
  • Demonstrate achievement in nursing in any of the following categories: Administration, Education, Global Health, Practice, Publication, Research

Application process

The application is reviewed by the membership committee for acceptance into Rho chapter. Submit the nurse leader application to the Rho Chapter Faculty Counselor. The application is reviewed by the Rho Chapter Membership committee for acceptance into Rho chapter. Nurse leaders are formally inducted into Rho chapter at the annual induction ceremony held in April.