Entries for the Nursing Times Awards 2011 are now being taken, according to NursingTimes.net.

It is thought that the awards provide the "most prestigious and sought-after recognition," and might attract attention from professionals in nurse manager jobs and their fellow specialists.

There are 16 categories up for grabs, including a new category that has been announced this year - Care of Older People - and regular favourites, such as Nurse of the Year, Nursing in Mental Health and the Chief Nursing Officers' Award for Lifetime Achievement.

It is thought that the awards help to highlight the important work undertaken by those in the profession, as well as how nursing specialists continually work to improve the quality of care provided to patients.

Furthermore, according to NTAAwards.co.uk, the awards "offer individual nurses and teams the opportunity to demonstrate just what this expectational profession is capable of, to share their creativity and innovation, and demonstrate their compassion and commitment."

The editor of the Nursing Times - the publication behind the event - also spoke of why individuals or teams should consider entering themselves for an award.

She claimed that it would: "Raise your profile within the nursing profession", "Ensure the wider profession can learn from your initiatives to improve patient care" and "Highlight your organisation's commitment to achieving excellence."