Nurses Night Out: A Successful Strategy for Chapter Revitalization and Nursing Community Engagement

Purpose and background: Maintaining a vibrant chapter is a priority for all Sigma leaders. Networking broadly with local non-member nurses also provides an avenue to model the Sigma vision of scholarship, leadership, and service. This presentation details the process initiated within a rural chapter facing a crisis in sustainability. In 2011 the affiliated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program closed, eliminating the pipeline of new student members. As the core group of active members dwindled in size, event participation reached very low levels. Members of the Board of Directors (BOD) were filling all committee roles, with virtually no participation from other chapter members. An innovative format of professional events led to substantial gains in participation as well as enhanced visibility in the local nursing community. Improved engagement of non-member nurses provided an opportunity to strengthen intra-professional relationships and foster professional commitment. Outreach to Associate Degree students allowed opportunities for mentorship and relationship development. Lessons learned may be broadly applicable for chapters seeking to build membership as well as those wishing to network more widely with local nurses within the community.

Methods: In 2015, leaders of a rural Sigma chapter developed a plan to broaden outreach through regularly scheduled events called Nurses Night Out (NNO). Chapter leaders had received feedback that many local nurses were under the impression that honor society educational events were exclusive or elite. A campaign to combat this idea was launched through specific messaging and marketing strategies and through focused outreach. The BOD selected presentation topics most likely to be of interest to the broadest possible group, including nurse advocacy, moral distress in nursing, and cross-cultural adventures for nurses. Presenters offered research findings and scholarly content but made a deliberate effort to keep material broadly accessible. Each event included food, and after some reflection, beer or wine for purchase. After the second event, program organizers began to include standard fundraising strategies through raffles and other activities. All events after the first were self-sustaining through a low entry fee and donation of food by chapter leadaers and other community members.

Results: Initial meeting attendance was fourfold previous events, and meetings since have shown steadily increasing attendance. More specifically, attendance at events prior to development of the NNO format generated an average attendance of 10 – 15 individuals whereas attendance at NNO events has ranged from 50 – 90. The events created a stronger sense of community among local nurses, which led to a greater interest in the chapter and Sigma in general. Chapter membership stabilized and began to increase. Active members have volunteered for committee service and other roles with the chapter, allowing development of future leaders. More recent events have resulted in modest fund-raising gains, allowing the chapter to direct more funds to local nursing scholarships and donations to community agencies.

Conclusion: A strategy focused on greater inclusion, de-mystifying nursing research and scholarship, and on an enjoyable evening out has potential to enhance interest in nursing honor society participation. Unifying a broad community of nurses around common issues provided opportunities for leaders to role model Sigma values. Lessons learned in the process of developing Nurses Night Out have potential to benefit other chapters. Challenges remain, especially in outreach to staff nurses.