Start a Sigma Nursing Chapter
Every great chapter begins with someone who sees an opportunity to make a difference.
Getting Started
Every great chapter begins with someone who sees an opportunity to make a difference.
If your school or practice setting doesn't currently have a Sigma Nursing chapter, you can take the lead in bringing one to your community. Sigma chapters foster leadership, scholarship, collaboration, and professional growth, creating lasting connections that strengthen the nursing profession. Chapters may be established at accredited nursing programs and qualifying healthcare institutions.
Before exploring the chapter formation process, learn about Sigma Nursing's Chapter Structure Models to determine which option best fits your needs.
Chapters must be located at a college or university (institution) with an accredited nursing program. At-large chapters can be located at an institution and a practice setting.
Practice setting(s) may join an established chapter, or they may start a new at-large chapter in collaboration with an institution that has an accredited nursing program.
Minimum Requirements:
- Institution grants a minimum of a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree or equivalent in nursing.
- School’s nursing programs are accredited by an appropriate accrediting body recognized by the Sigma Governance Committee.
- A Sigma chapter has support from the institution and the educational unit that houses the nursing program.
Minimum Requirements:
- Setting provides care by registered nurse(s).
- Practice requires that healthcare delivered to individuals and communities be delivered by a registered nurse.
- Practice setting is accredited by an appropriate accrediting agency recognized by the Sigma Governance Committee (such as the Joint Commission or equivalent).
- Practice setting administration and chief nursing officials must agree to support a Sigma chapter at the practice setting and in collaboration with the institution(s) of higher education.
- Practice setting must employ nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or equivalent, or higher
Let us know how we can help.
Ready to Start a Chapter?
If you're ready to bring a Sigma Nursing chapter to your school or practice setting, we're here to help you get started.
Chapter Development Process
Before submitting an application to start a chapter, please review the chapter development process.
Phase 1: Inquiry
Prospective chapters learn about the chapter development process, the requirements to become a chapter, and the legal and financial considerations involved. They also learn Sigma Nursing's expectations for how chapters operate, engage their members, and uphold the organization's mission.
Phase 2: Formation
Working alongside Sigma Nursing staff, prospective chapters build their chapter infrastructure and a full strategic plan for operations. This plan covers board leadership, budgeting, programming, membership eligibility, communications, and governance—the foundation for a strong application and a lasting chapter.
Phase 3: Submit & Review
Prospective chapters finalize the application and detailed operational plan with Sigma Nursing staff, then submit it for review by the Charter Review Task Force, International Governance Committee, and Board of Directors. Once approved, all designates sign a New Chapter Action Plan and enact it within two (2) years of chartering.
Phase 4: Chartering & Induction
Approved designates work with chapter development staff at Sigma Nursing headquarters to plan and conduct the official chartering and induction ceremony. Preparation includes training on Sigma's Chapter Management System and Online Induction System, the tools the chapter will rely on going forward.
Phase 5: New Chapter Tasks
Developing chapters complete the milestones in their New Chapter Action Plan and file all required reports for Sigma and any applicable government agencies. They must also send 1–2 delegates to the House of Delegates at Sigma's Biennial Convention (held in odd-numbered years). Chapters that fail to make satisfactory progress may face probation or charter revocation.
Phase 6: Independent New Chapter
Once the New Chapter Action Plan has been fulfilled, the chapter operates independently as a full Sigma Nursing chapter. It continues to receive ongoing support from Sigma's chapter and membership staff as it grows and serves its members.
Looking for an existing chapter?
Find an existing Sigma chapter to connect with your local nursing community.