Nursing Honor Society: Iota Eta Pi

Founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University, the honor society, which later became Sigma Theta Tau, began with one chapter and six members. During the past 84 years, it has evolved to 446 chapters across the globe, with more than 400,000 inducted members who live in more than 90 countries and territories. It also partners with more than 25 organizations including the World Health Organization, Johnson & Johnson, People to People Ambassador Program, and others.

Here at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, the impetus to establish the nursing program’s honor society emerged in 2003 as a joint effort between faculty and students of the Graduate Program in Nursing. Many of the nursing faculty were active in their local Sigma Theta Tau International chapters, and at a national level; they believed that the establishment of an honor society would further the professional development of leaders and scholars within the MGH Institute.

A cohort of faculty members stewarded the early years of the chapter development. These included Dr. Patrice Nicholas, Dr. Inge Corless, Dr. Joanne O’Sullivan, and Dr. Carol Picard. More recently faculty support has included Kathleen Solomon, Dr. Patricia Lussier-Duynstee, Dr. Jeanne Cartier, Dr. Alexandra Paul Simon as faculty advisor, Cammie Townsend and Dr. Karen Wolf.

The MGH Institute and the Graduate Program in Nursing have strongly supported the growth of the honor society from its inception, and have offered in-kind support for educational and induction programs, developing a new website; and integrating the nursing honor society, Iota Eta Pi, into the intellectual life of the MGH Institute community since the first induction in 2004; and subsequent inductions in 2005 and 2006.

Four years into implementation of the nursing honor society, current membership is over 200. Our application to join Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) was approved May 2007, and the official vote will occur in November 2007 at the annual meeting in Baltimore, MD. A spring 2008 chartering ceremony and celebration is being planned. We hope that you will be a charter member of the MGH Institute chapter of STTI. The purpose of the honor society is to:

Recognize superior achievement and scholarship
Recognize the development of leadership qualities
Foster high professional standards
Encourage creative work
Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession

Its mission is to provide “leadership and scholarship in practice [and] education and research to enhance the health of all people.” Numerous opportunities exist to design a meaningful membership experience, and as you move through stages of your professional career, you may discover membership benefits that meet your needs at specific points in time.

Robert B. Wall, President