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BJN Awards

British Journal of Nursing Awards 2012

Entry Criteria

Entering the British Journal of Nursing Awards 2012 is simple.

Entry is open to individuals or teams, and can be made on behalf yourself or your team, or by nominating a colleague/team.

Judged by Professor Sir George Castledine, Rosalind Hill (Editor of BJN) and the Journal's editorial board, entries will be assessed against the following criteria:

The achievement is at a high level of excellence in a particular field or speciality of nursing care.

In the nurse's chosen category, he/she has demonstrated a significant contribution to research, treatment, innovation and improvement in patient care. For example, the Tissue Viability Team at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust developed a process allowing patients to continue their care in the community, in turn enabling the NHS trust to work more effectively, improve clinical outlines, and improve quality of life for patients.

The achievement is recognised by patients and those close to them, as something that has made a significant difference and contribution to the quality of the patient's nursing care and experience during his/her healthcare problem.

Whether nursing one or many, this nurse has a noted contribution to the quality of life and quality of care of his/her patients. For example, this might be through the development of infection control indicators and measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff, as demonstrated by Kim Shaw, winner of the Infection Control Award in 2008.

The contribution the nurse has made is in addition to the usual routine and expectations of her/his role and job description.

This nurse doesn't just go to work, but has fully embraced his/her career and specialty continually shows passion for nursing, and thinks innovatively to improve patient care. For example, in 2008 Elaine Taylor won the BJN Mental Health Nursing award for her safeguarding children and adults agenda, which has resulted in a number of clients being significantly protected from abuse.

The achievement innovative and demonstrates that the nurse is an exceptional person who stands out in the way that he/she has applied him/herself and the fundamental principles of nursing.

The nurse constantly strives to improve life for his/her patients by developing new ways of working. His/her hard work and commitment has created a consistent approach to the ethos of excellence in nursing. Past winners of the Lifetime Achievement award, for example, have included Mary Powell (2006), Professor Dame Betty Kershaw (2007), and Professor Jenifer Wilson-Barnett (2008).

To enter, simply fill in the form here. Entry requires a nomination statement of not more than 1000 words, describing the nominee's work and explaining why the nominee should win an award.

Each entry should also be supported by a short supporting statement of up to 300 words written by a manager or supervisor, verifying the entrant's nomination statement. The supporting statement should be completed together with the contact details of the person giving the statement.

Entry criteria

  1. The closing date for entries in all categories is 27th January, 2012.
  2. Entries are open to nursing professionals individually or as members of a team.
  3. Individual entries should be made either by the individual or through the nomination of a colleague, for example, by a manager or supervisor.
  4. Each entry should be supported by a statement of no more than 1000 words, describing the entrant's/nominee's achievements and why they should win that particular category.
  5. For each entry, there should also be a supporting statement of no more than 300 words signed by a manager and/or supervisor verifying that the entrant has indeed achieved what is described in their submission.
  6. Each submission will be judged by three judges.
  7. Each category will have a winner and two runner-up winners.
  8. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Landmark Hotel, London on 30th March 2012.
  9. No one employed or closely associated with British Journal of Nursing or MA Healthcare Ltd, be that employee, spouse, close relative, or regular contributor or columnist, may enter the awards.
  10. In certain circumstances, if the standard of entries is considered not high enough, the judges may elect not to present a particular award.
  11. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence can be entered into.