Megan Pfitzinger Lippe

Despite knowing relatively little about Sigma Theta Tau International, Megan Pfitzinger Lippe joined the nursing honor society while an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. “I had faculty members strongly encouraging me to accept the invitation, so I did,” she says. Megan was inducted into the Epsilon Theta Chapter in 2010. It was a decision that continues to impact her life.

“When I first joined STTI as a BSN student, STTI meant being able to report having membership in a professional organization on my resume,” says Megan. “As I have learned more about STTI and become increasingly involved at the local, regional, and international levels, STTI now means leadership, connection, scholarship, nursing support and advocacy, and caring for the global community.”

Megan sees immense benefit from giving of her time and talent to STTI, as proven by her varied STTI resume. She began as Epsilon Theta Chapter’s counselor in 2013 for just a few short months before being nominated president elect. She has served as her chapter’s president since 2014, yielding many accolades for Epsilon Theta Chapter, including a Chapter Key Award and special recognition for its outstanding website. Epsilon Theta Chapter also became a member of the Chapter Giving Club under Megan’s leadership, an attainment for which she is quite proud. In recognition for her many achievements as chapter president, Megan was selected for the Chapter Leader Highlight in the September 2015 Chapter Leader Emphasis.

As if being chapter president wasn’t enough, Megan has also served STTI as electronic delegate and convention delegate for the past two biennial conventions, and has recently begun serving on the Conference Planning Task Force, working to plan the next two upcoming research congresses and the 44th Biennial Convention in 2017. Beginning in May 2015, Megan also took on the role of facilitator of the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Community of Interest on The Circle. “I really enjoy this role and being a member of this community as it allows me to remain engaged and connected with other nurses who share my passion for end-of-life care,” she says.

At the time of this writing, Megan worked as an assistant instructor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, primarily teaching practicum and skills courses to BSN students while completing her PhD. Beginning in the fall of 2016, she will begin a tenure-track assistant professor position at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing in Tuscaloosa.

“STTI membership has played a role in many significant events in my life,” explains Megan. “My membership and engagement with STTI at the regional level allowed me to make connections that have ultimately led to my obtaining a tenure-track position after graduation this May. STTI membership has also afforded me opportunities to present my research at local, regional, and international events and conferences. Finally, STTI has helped guide my development as a nurse leader, and I am sure it will continue to do so in the future."