Psi-at-large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

The Psi-at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International is pleased to offer the following scholarships to nursing students who are currently enrolled in the following programs: BSN, MSN, MN, PhD, DNP, EdD.

Recipients of these scholarships will:

• Be matriculated into one of the above nursing programs during the scholarship year;
• Have a demonstrated financial need;
• Be a member of Psi-at-Large or must become a member of Psi-Chapter-at-Large before monies are disbursed;
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale with documentation via an unofficial transcript;
• Demonstrate commitment to professional nursing experience via resume;
• Articulate your commitment to the nursing role via an essay; and
• Two references from faculty members or 1 faculty member and 1 recent employer.

The resume should demonstrate:

• Work history
• Professional nursing contributions and accomplishments, such as national certifications or work on committees or local professional organizations
• Professional publications or professional research or practice presentations
• Volunteer and community activities
• Employment, community, or academic awards
• A commitment to scholastic achievement

The essay is a personal statement (in 600 words or less) that discusses the applicant's reasons for applying including the following:

• Demonstration of your commitment to academic excellence
• Description of your current professional status and future professional goals/plans following successful completion of your degree program
• A description of any extenuating circumstances that you feel will help the committee in making their decision

During the year of your award, a second essay describing your academic success this year, your career path, and your activities this year with the Psi-at-Large Chapter is required. This essay will be posted to the Psi-at-Large Chapter website.

Awards are for 1 year. They are non-renewable, but you may re-apply for an award 5 years after the conclusion of the initial award. Decisions will be made by April 15th 2026, funding will be available on the first day of your college’s term for the following academic year. Scholarship recipients must attend at least one induction ceremony at the school they attended and at least one other Psi-at-Large event.

Applications are due by March 31st 2026. Please send your materials to george.pih@comcast.net.

Region 1 has a limited number of Biennial Presenter Grants available for those presenting at the 48th Biennial Convention. 

Eligibility:

• Must be a current Sigma Region 1 chapter member
• No prior grant received in 2025 from Region 1.
• Not open to delegates receiving chapter funding.
• The presenter must request the grant personally.

If interested, please send an email to both of the following addresses: lvanauker@health.ucdavis.edu (Regional Coordinator) and hkim@samuelmerritt.edu (Regional Treasurer) with "Biennial Presenter Grant" in the subject line and the following information in the text:

1. Title of presentation
2. Chapter membership
3. Your name, address (to receive check), and phone number
4. Checks will be distributed first-come, first-served for the first 15 requests.
5. Checks will be sent the month following the Biennial (or sooner).

Congratulations on the acceptance of your scholarly work! Laura Van Auker, Region 1 Coordinator, encourages you to come say hi at the Region 1 table.

Greetings! Please review the Fall 2025 Psi at-Large Newsletter, containing highlights about chapter happenings and member benefits, including:

• Highlights from the Sigma International Research Conference in Seattle.
• Information about the upcoming 46th Biennial Convention and an opportunity to Share Your Input and provide feedback to your chapter delegates on proposed changes to Sigma's bylaws and resolutions, as well as voting on candidates for the slate of international offices.
• Links to sign up for the upcoming Psi at-Large Research Summit on November 15.
• Awards and recognitions of Psi at-Large Members (please send your accomplishments to be included in our next edition).

Many thanks to Anne Mulligan, Past-President and Newsletter Chair, for her work on this edition!

I hope to see many of you at the upcoming Research Summit!

Beth Gill

President, Psi at-Large Chapter

Three large inductions were held the end of May.  On May 22 University of Washington Tacoma held their induction, with students families and friends in attendance. Top picture is three new RN-BSN graduates.  Please welcome these new members to our group!
Anurita B, Nellie H, Devan S., Mandy A., Silas E, Kimberly J, and Maegan J,Oluwakemi O, and
Katie R.

University of Washington Seattle held a virtual induction on May 28 at noon. Twenty three students were celebrated following a warm welcome by Dean Hilaire J.
Thompson PhD, RN ARNP FAAN.  Please welcome:

Rebecca E. Micah F. Jemima G. Latisha H. Lucy H. Yufei H. Jun H. Hae-Jin K. Nathanael K. Harison L. Nicholas L. Eva L. Raina Faith M. Andronicus M. Katherine M. Alexandra M. Fiza No. Meshack O. Alicia S. Aymee S. Nicole S. Alisha T. Claire U.  Sorry, there is no picture because it was virtual.

University of Washington Bothell had a joyful and meaningful induction on May 29th. Dean Vanessa Lopez-Littleton gave a warm welcome and Dr. Renee Rassilyer- Bomers, CNO at Providence Swedish North Division, shared her heartfelt story in nursing and welcomed the newly invited members, offering a sense of hope for the future. Please welcome baccalaureate nurses (BSN) Natsinet A. , Maria A., Stacy b., Ana C., Feven G.,Deanna H., Ponsawan J., Khadija K., Chreistopher K., Lidya L., Alissa L., Mamusu M., Natsinet N., Zebib N., AdamarisO., George O., Jaylen O., Emiliy S., Rochelle S., Kristin S-R., Elisa T., Polin V., & Aaron W. 

Master of Nursing students include Froskhan A., Camille C., Melissa H., Mariah W., Anna W., JessikaB., Kelsey H., Melanie J., Liz L., Li-Fang H., Lisa H, Jack J., Hannah P., Chelsea P., Ana P., and Christen Y.

Second picture is the end of ceremony for UW Bothell new members.

Olympic College held new member induction on May 13 with a keynote speech by last year's inductee, Inga Jordan.  Inga encouraged students to consider Sigma's core value of love and apply it to research in nursing.    Please welcome David C., Amger D., Maria G., Alexis G., Leeza K., Mackenzee L, Shannon M. Nicole P, Desirae S., and Lillian S.  Nurse Leader Vicki D. was also inducted.

Our chapter voting is done for now.  First I want to thank officers who will roll off:  Leigh Kalaman (secretary), Pam George (treasurer) and Dan Kline ( Leadership Succession Committee) .  You learn a lot in volunteer positions and meet people who are very dedicated to volunteering.  Thank you.

The new officers will officially take over after our June 21 end of year retreat.  

Secretary = Devon Woodley

Treasurer = Brenda Kinyumu

LSC member = Megan Bland

The Buntain School of Nursing at Northwest University held induction on Monday, May 5.  Welcome BSN Students Elizabeth B., Elysha B., Amy B., Reece D., Ella D., Emily F-C., Hope K., Sophia M., Maggie M., Trinity R., Macey S., Sarah W., and MSN Students Eileen G.& Abigail J., and Nurse Leader Angie P.

Dr. Tiffany Zyniewicz provided the keynote speech.  She encouraged new members to dream big.  What do you dream about doing in the future?

Pacific Lutheran University led off our season for student inductions on Feb. 26.   Dr. Carol Huston provided an inspiring talk on the benefits of Sigma membership for nurses in developing leadership skills. 

Congratulations to all new PLU members.  Students inducted were:  Kristie A., Kate, D., Juliet D., Cathy E., Lexie F. Kendra H., Madeline J. Madison J., Alicia J., Naomi J., Oredolapo K., Jenna K., Emily L., Emma L., Danielle M., Lindsay M., Lindsey M., Sam N., Franki P-T., Taylor P., Alexandra R., Graytson S., Cecily S., Emma T., Ashley W., Savannah W., Cassandra W., Jamie W., Matthew A., Avril B., Elly B., Elizabeth C., Deana D., Maggy F., Carly H., Alicia H., Katie L., Deborah L., Bonface M., Anna P., Caitlyn R., and Shukri S. Our chapter members warmly welcome you and are eager to help you all grow as nurse professionals.

As nursing students and new nurses, we dread encountering our first patient death. As veteran nurses, our first experience of a patient’s death can haunt us for years. In the high-stakes environment of an intensive care unit, the fight for life often feels unrelenting. But what happens when a patient chooses to stop fighting?

This deeply moving story takes you into the heart of one nurse’s experience with a young man facing an impossible choice: continue with a risky heart transplant or embrace the dignity of death on his own terms. Through her journey, we witness profound acts of compassion—from the ICU staff’s efforts to honor the patient’s decision to his final, selfless act of organ donation.

This thought-provoking article explores the meaning of dignity in healthcare, compassion in nursing, and the courage it takes to define both life and death. Read on to discover what it means to truly honor a life well-lived.

https://nursingcentered.sigmanursing.org/topics/inspirational/stories/view/why-didn-t-he-want-a-chance-to-live