The latest from  
f5429699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
My quest for understanding
/my-quest-for-understanding
my-quest-for-understanding
  • Research
  • Global - Oceania
  • Featured
Constant innovation and change have been at the forefront of my career to improve nursing knowledge and lives.
12/6/2024
35419699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
MarionEckert_HOF_Feature Image
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/vol-50/MarionEckert_HOF_Feature-Image
MarionEckert_HOF_Feature-Image
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/marioneckert_hof_feature-image.png?sfvrsn=9fb9f4f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/marioneckert_hof_feature-image.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=9fb9f4f2_1
By
Marion Eckert
PhD, MPH, MSN, Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing)
MarionEckert_authorphoto
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/marioneckert_authorphoto.png?sfvrsn=62baf4f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/marioneckert_authorphoto.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=62baf4f2_1
8b359699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
Four lessons to lead change: Highlights from the Pan American Nursing Research Colloquium
/four-lessons-to-lead-change-highlights-from-the-pan-american-nursing-research-colloquium
four-lessons-to-lead-change-highlights-from-the-pan-american-nursing-research-colloquium
  • North America
  • Global Impact
As a Sigma United Nations Youth Representative, I traveled to Chile for this annual event and uncovered four insights that will challenge how you view nursing’s role in transforming healthcare.
12/3/2024
7e359699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
ReginaYuen_PanAmColloquium_Feature Image
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/vol-50/ReginaYuen_PanAmColloquium_Feature-Image
ReginaYuen_PanAmColloquium_Feature-Image
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/reginayuen_panamcolloquium_feature-image.png?sfvrsn=d6cdf4f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/reginayuen_panamcolloquium_feature-image.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=d6cdf4f2_1
By
Regina Yuen
MPH, RN
Regina_authorphoto
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/regina_authorphoto86f7a1bc-ad1d-44a0-bd02-3a217f95c4c0.png?sfvrsn=f7cdf4f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/vol-50/regina_authorphoto86f7a1bc-ad1d-44a0-bd02-3a217f95c4c0.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=f7cdf4f2_1
a7099699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
Embrace the unexpected | S5 E6
/embrace-the-unexpected-s5-e6
embrace-the-unexpected-s5-e6
  • Research
  • North America
Ronald Hickman’s unexpected path—from mentorship to postgrad—led him to our International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame for his avatar simulations that are transforming ICU family decision-making.
Featuring Ronald Hickman
11/20/2024
7efa9599-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
RonaldHickman_NC Header
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/RonaldHickman_NC-Headerb37583d7-73f5-42a6-bb84-bdddf851e220
RonaldHickman_NC-Headerb37583d7-73f5-42a6-bb84-bdddf851e220
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/ronaldhickman_nc-headerb37583d7-73f5-42a6-bb84-bdddf851e220.png?sfvrsn=d602f7f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/ronaldhickman_nc-headerb37583d7-73f5-42a6-bb84-bdddf851e220.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=d602f7f2_1
c4fa9599-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
RonaldHickman_Feature Image
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/RonaldHickman_Feature-Image5cd119d3-cd75-4c39-9391-9dcf356c39d7
RonaldHickman_Feature-Image5cd119d3-cd75-4c39-9391-9dcf356c39d7
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/ronaldhickman_feature-image5cd119d3-cd75-4c39-9391-9dcf356c39d7.png?sfvrsn=c02f7f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/ronaldhickman_feature-image5cd119d3-cd75-4c39-9391-9dcf356c39d7.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=c02f7f2_1
480a9699-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
Transcript | Embrace the unexpected
/transcript-embrace-the-unexpected
transcript-embrace-the-unexpected
6fe89499-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
Delayed but not denied: Lillia's induction celebration
/lillia-mrza
lillia-mrza
  • North America
  • main-2020-5-12
  • Membership
  • North America Region
  • Member Story
Lillia Mrza's life has been marked by chronic pain due to endometriosis, a condition that went undiagnosed until just before her final exams in nursing school. Despite the challenges, Lillia persevered, passed her exams, graduated, and became a nurse; however, she was forced to miss her Sigma induction because of the pain. This year, her chapter invited her back to officially receive her honor cords.

Pain has controlled Lillia Mrza’s life since she was just 13 years old. But in the year leading up to graduating nursing school, the pain became too much to bear, leaving her bedridden for days at a time.

After countless dismissals from professionals and several visits to the ER, Lillia was finally introduced to a specialist who would provide a diagnosis—and more importantly, eventually—relief. During a laparoscopy, an investigative procedure of the abdomen, she was officially diagnosed with endometriosis and had all her endometrial tissue removed. Despite this being an outpatient procedure, she was forced to stay in the hospital overnight because of her pain.

This all happened the week before her final exams.

“My family and friends tried their best to support me and encouraged me to just focus on the exams so I could finish the program,” Lillia said. “I was the last person to take the last exam and it was just my professor and I in the room. I broke down in tears when I turned it in, afraid of the unknown.”

Lillia had always known she was passionate about helping others and knew for a long time that she wanted to be a healthcare provider. It wasn’t until her grandmother, “Nana Gina,” was diagnosed with a fast-progressing case of Alzheimer’s disease that Lillia knew exactly what she wanted to be—a nurse. After all, her grandmother had been a nurse first in Iraq, before her family immigrated to the United States.

“She was an inspirational woman to us all and the most hospitable person I had ever met,” Lillia said. “It was while spending this time with her [after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis] that I knew after this chapter closed, the next chapter would be dedicated to finally pursuing my calling to become a nurse.”

Her perseverance paid off. She is currently transitioning into a new role to work as a Registered Nurse Investigator for the State of Arizona. 

Lillia was invited to join Sigma in 2022, but because of battles with her health at that time, she was forced to miss her ceremony. She chose to preserve her wellness as much as she could so that she’d be able to attend graduation instead.

“It was really hard for me to have missed out on getting inducted with my classmates,” Lillia said. “At the same time, I was so happy to see those purple cords around them on our graduation day.”

In April 2024, Lillia’s chapter, Zeta Beta, invited her back to her alma mater to officially be inducted into Sigma. Though graduation had long passed, she finally got her honor cords to wear with pride.

“I can’t believe that I had the chance to stand up there with my professors and join Sigma,” Lillia said.

Now years after her diagnosis, Lillia says life is good. “I am so grateful for everything that was ahead of me following my diagnosis and first procedure. I feel truly accomplished to have passed my boards, gained a certification, and have had a couple of years' experience as a nurse.”

While she still experiences pain from time to time, she has discovered a community of women with the same diagnosis, and she finds comfort in sharing her struggles with them.

“I no longer feel alone or confused,” she said. “Reading others' experiences and learning remedies to manage symptoms has helped me tremendously.”

Like all Sigma nurses, Lillia demonstrates the attributes of Sigma—love, courage, and honor. But she has gone above and beyond to show that she has courage, and that no amount of adversity could stop her from achieving her goals.

As her nursing journey continues, Lillia looks forward to improving the health of patrons across Arizona and hopes to one day network with all of the generations of nurses she has met at a Sigma conference.

9/3/2024
Lillia Mrza
MSN-CNL, RN
26e89499-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
Lillia-BioImage
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/member-stories/Lillia-BioImage
Lillia-BioImage
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/member-stories/lillia-bioimage.png?sfvrsn=ae10f6f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/member-stories/lillia-bioimage.tmb-.png?sfvrsn=ae10f6f2_1
b9e99499-46f8-6225-bce7-ff000034804e
LilliaMrza_Feature Image (light background)
/images/default-source/RNL-Features/member-stories/LilliaMrza_Feature-Image-(light-background)
LilliaMrza_Feature-Image-(light-background)
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/member-stories/lilliamrza_feature-image-(light-background).png?sfvrsn=1311f6f2_1
https://www.sigmanursing.org/images/default-source/rnl-features/member-stories/lilliamrza_feature-image-(light-background).tmb-.png?sfvrsn=1311f6f2_1

Sigma Job Board

 

View more job listings »


Interested in posting your job to Sigma's Job Board? Let's get started »

Upcoming Events

Announcements

FYF_titlegraphic

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, Sigma has developed the following resources (microlearning videos, handouts, and podcasts) to provide you with support to find your forward—resources you can use to help yourself and ways to work with others to advocate for change within your healthcare system.

Learn more »

Register for one of our free webinars!

Sigma is committed to sharing knowledge, resources, and tips with nurses around the globe. Throughout the year, we offer free webinars on a variety of topics, like bullying and incivility, avoiding burnout, and more.

2023-2025 Organizational Call to Action

In the 2023-2025 Organizational Call to Action, President Sandra C. Garmon Bibb challenges all of us to Represent.

A free leadership tool for nurses at all levels

Sigma Nursing, with support from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, is excited to introduce the Global Nursing Leadership Competency Framework, a guide for nurses seeking to evaluate their leadership. 

Sigma Products for Nurses

Sigma merchandise, books, and online education are distributed through our e-commerce website, Sigma Marketplace. Register and log in for member discounts! 

Sigma Marketplace Logo
 HonorCord_10-23
Graduation Tassel Charm - Silver
Take Charge of Your Nursing Career, Second Edition
Surviving Your First Years as a Nurse Practitioner