Induction Ceremony Script

[Welcome]

Good evening and welcome to the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International’s Omicron Delta Chapter member induction. My name is ______(name and title) and we are delighted you are part of this occasion.

[Celebrating honor and excellence]

It is my pleasure to welcome and congratulate our candidates. We are here to celebrate you and your achievements. This evening we are privileged to induct you into the world’s only nursing honor society as among the most dynamic nursing leaders and scholars.

You are among a distinguished group of nursing students and professionals who have met or exceeded rigorous standards and have demonstrated the ideal qualities of a leader and a scholar. You truly deserve our congratulations.

<Pause for applause>

As you are welcomed into this community, I applaud the current and future roles you now play and will play as clinicians, administrators, researchers, educators and health policy analysts. You live out your role with integrity, intelligence, caring and courage. You embody leadership, excellence and scholarship in the profession of nursing. For this, we welcome you into this worldwide community of nurse scholars with the expectation of learning – learning from you, learning about you, and learning with you.

[Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions]

The honor society was founded by innovative thinkers who looked forward to a profession that recognizes and uses knowledge and learning to lead in service to others.

Foundedin 1922 by six students of nursing at IndianaUniversity in the United States of America, the honor society began with one chapter and six members. During the past 85 years, it has evolved to 451 chapters across the globe, with more than 400,000 inducted members who are active in more than 90 countries and territories.

Over course of the organization’s history, the commitment to knowledge, learning and service has guided the society in achieving many milestones and firsts in the nursing profession:

  • First nursing research grants
  • First scholarly nursing journal with the Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
  • First philanthropic campaign and resultant Center for Nursing Scholarship
  • First electronic library of nursing research and knowledge
  • First to embrace membership and chapters outside the United States
  • First knowledge synthesis and international peer reviewed Evidence Based Practice journal

As one of the most distinctive organizations in professional nursing, the honor society influences and changes the health of people by engaging the intellectual capital of nurses around the globe. By developing and building connections with diverse people and entities, we enable nurses to collectively and individually develop, create, use and apply their knowledge to make a difference for the greater good of people’s well being. This is our vision and mission.

[Foundational Values/Principles]

Founded to advance the knowledge, learning and service of nurses, the honor society focuses on scholarship and leadership in its social and ethical commitment to excellence. As an innovative, forward looking organization, the honor society is continually changing to fulfill its mission and vision. Yet it values its heritage.

Our founders chose the honor society’s name for the words in the Greek language meaning love, courage and honor. They believed these to be enduring values that are at the root of the nursing profession – the foundation upon which the art and science grows and is used.

These enduring values come alive today through our collective pursuit in knowledge, leadership and service. We are committed to building a global community which is focused on the creation and application of knowledge and leadership to make a difference for others. We value the diversity of nurses around the world and work to enable relationships, collaboration and partnerships. These are our strategic directions.

Our crest symbolizes these enduring values, reminding us of our commitment to:

  • wisdom and discernment, as represented by the eye;
  • service, professional endeavor and strength of leadership, as represented by the pillars of stone at the right and left; and
  • knowledge, as represented by the lamp.

The key reminds us of our charge to uphold love, courage and honor, and is a symbol of scholarship. The cup denotes the satisfaction of professional life. The circle of gold with its six stars represents our six founders. The letters in blank—Sigma Theta Tau—represent our charge. The lamp is the lamp of knowledge.

As you wear your key, please remember that it symbolizes your nursing excellence.

[Experiencing membership]

So you may wonder, what does all of this mean for me?

Our purpose this evening is to honor you as a new member, but also to support you as you begin your journey of experiencing membership during the entire course of your nursing career. I challenge you to frame this induction as a beginning – a beginning of thinking differently about yourself, your impact, your contribution to the profession and health care globally.

Within the Honor Society of Nursing local, regional, national and international environments, you will discover communities of practice and common interest that will open doors and provide meaningful professional experiences. And you will find a hospitable place to invest your time and talents and access knowledge resources.

Throughout this event you will learn of ways to become more involved and connected. The experience is yours to build.

While the Omicron Delta chapter is a “virtual” chapter, you will have many opportunities to stay connected to the chapter, its members and the resources that we offer. Not only will you receive monthly newsletters, invitations to member events, opportunities for scholarships, but if you want to be more involved you will be able to volunteer or run for an Officer position. There are so many ways to be involved – we look forward to starting this journey with you.

[The Induction]

It is now time to receive into membership these outstanding new members. Will all of the candidates please rise?

At this time, please accept the privilege and responsibility of membership in the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International by standing and reading from the screen:

[Note: You may provide inductees with a handout that breaks the pledge into separate lines for easier recitation, or ask that inductees repeat each line after the speaker first recites the line.]

Line 1: “I accept membership in Sigma Theta Tau International”

Line 2:“and I pledge to fulfill its commitment”

Line 3:“to nursing excellence,”

Line 4: “knowledge, service, and leadership”

Line 5: “throughout my career.”

Please come forward when your name is called to receive your recognition of membership certificate (OPTIONAL: and to sign your name in the chapter book).

Please help me congratulate these new members with our applause.

<Pause for applause>

[What the honor society means to me (benefits)]

Now that you have been welcomed into this organization, the opportunities to grow, develop and contribute abound. There are four key ways the honor society can be meaningful and valuable to you:

through honor, community, service and solutions.

HonorCelebrate your achievements and commitment to excellence.

CommunityExperience nursing through relationships and partnerships with colleagues around the world.

ServiceBalance your professional pursuits through honor society activities and opportunities including community service, support of the

Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing and more.

Knowledge Solutions

Discover many ways to design your membership experience and enhance your professional growth through research, products and the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library.

As a member, you become part of a worldwide community of nurses that can help you keep in touch with the reasons you became a nurse. Membership is more than recognition for your academic or professional success – it is an experience you create throughout your career. As you reflect on your induction, please take a moment in the near future to use your membership brochure to help you design your experience. <refer to guide to membership>

[Closing Remarks]

It is time to ask:

  • What do I want to do to transform nursing?
  • What do I want the profession to be in 2022?
  • What can Sigma Theta Tau International do to get me there?

It is time to act

  • Connect with your local community
  • Use the organization to meet your career goals and needs
  • We invite you to dialogue with other members and connect with organizational resources and services

We encourage you to

  • Tell us your dreams
  • Tell us your thoughts about how you see things shaped in 2022; where you believe we as a profession and as an organization are headed; how the organization can help you transform

The foundation of your honor society membership is a combination of honor, community, service and knowledge. Your pursuit of nursing excellence has earned you this honor and the opportunity to build your career and your membership experience throughout your lifetime.

We congratulate you on your induction! This concludes our ceremony – thank you for attending.