Care on Camera aims to capture the innovation and diversity of the modern day nursing profession. The RCN is asking people to record nursing as it happens from the many diverse settings and nursing roles.
Janet Davies, the chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said: 'This competition will celebrate and showcase the reality of the wonderful profession of nursing. Modern nursing is complex but rewarding and Care on Camera will be a great way of showcasing the fantastic work that goes on up and down the country every day. The RCN centenary is a milsetone in our history and this will capture a moment in time for our future generations.'
There are two categories in the competition and the public get to vote for their favourite nursing image in the People's Choice Category.
The winners will be announced at the annual RCN Congress in June 2016 and first prize is £1000. Subsequently the 50 shortlisted entries will form a touring exhibition going around schools, libraries and various health settings around the UK.
The winners will be chosen by an expert judging panel including actress Tamzin Outhwaite who said: 'Nursing staff have impacted on my life and the lives of my children.'
'I have relied on nursing staff countless times throughout my life from visiting my GP practice nurse for holiday vaccinations to the nurses and midwives who supported me when I was pregnant with my daughters,' she said.
The collection will then become a part of the RCN archive, which provides a historical record of nursing in the 21st Century.
The competition is being held in collaboration with the Royal Photographic Society and is open to everyone across the UK.
Dr Michael Pritchard, director general of The Royal Photographic Society, said: 'The Royal Photographic Society is delighted to be supporting the RCN's centenary photography competition.
'Photography plays an important role within medicine for diagnostic reasons, it is used as therapy with patients and, of course, we are all making more images than ever before. This competition will provide a snapshot of nursing in 2016 and will form a fascinating archive of the profession for future generations.'