History of Fellowship
History of Fellowship
The National Honor Society Fellowship was established in 2007 to honor members who made special contributions to the Society and nursing. Requirements for "Fellow" status include a) active membership status for three continuous years; b) graduated from an accredited nursing program; c) completed three continuous years as a licensed registered nurse; and d) performed outstanding service to the nursing profession.
The first fellows of the Society were elected in 2007. From 2007 until 2014, members were eligible for election to "Fellow" status if they had been an active, life, honorary or international member of the Honor Society for three continuous years immediately prior to election and were licensed and had graduated from an accedited nursing program.
In 2015, the Executive Council adopted more stringent requirements and 2018 fellows were elected based on the requirements previously mentioned, plus the additional criteria adopted by the 2015 Council. A decision was made by the 2015 Council to keep the additional criteria for fellow status in the Bylaws, but delay further implementation of the requirements until 2030.
As a result, members elected to fellow status between 2007 and 2018 were elected based on the College`s initial fellow requirements of three continuous years of active membership and nursing licensure and acceditation. In 2015 the Council modified the Bylaws to include a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree.
In 2014, the Council modified the Bylaws to indicate that that Fellows or former Fellows who have demonstrated by application that they meet the criteria for fellow status will retain their "Fellow" status as long as they remain current members of the Honor Society.
At the 2018 Council Meeting, the requirements for fellow status were changed to allow an alternative pathway for Fellow members who did not have a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing. The change was made to recognize those nurses who have made significant contributions to nursing through their service and dedication.
"The National Honor Society of Nursing has been a valuable source of mentoring, advocacy, and training for me. I really appreciated having those people available to me when I needed them."
Terry Lee Allers
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