More nurses, including new graduates, are expected to be hired by the province as Alberta Health Services boosts its efforts to improve patient care.

Approximately 750 registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses will be available for hire in Alberta in December, and Alberta Health Services said on Thursday that they plan to hire them all.

It’s part of the province’s plan to hire a minimum of 70 per cent of the province’s graduating registered nurses under the 2010-13 United Nurses of Alberta collective agreement.

“AHS needs everyone. There will be a nursing job for absolutely every qualified nurse who wants to work with AHS,” a statement from Alberta Health Services read.

It's welcome news for Edmonton nursing students.

"When we first entered the program there was a hiring freeze for RNs and it was a huge topic for all of us but they said hopefully when you graduate there will jobs and now there are, so that's awesome," said Joelle deGroot, a MacEwan University nursing student.

"I think it's awesome," said MacEwan University nursing student Jenna Carhbonneau.

Some students said news of the province's hiring efforts may keep them from searching for jobs outside Alberta.

"I was very open to pursuing a job in another province because it seemed if Alberta doesn't want me then I'll get my education and I'll leave," said MacEwan University nursing student Ashley Peregrym.

But Peregrym would much rather stay - and not just because she grew up here.

"This is where I've been educated and I almost feel you have to pay back the city that's been training you the whole time. We kind of owe them those skills back."

There are about 69,000 employees working in Alberta Health Service’s clinical workforce including 26,500 registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, and 13,500 licensed practical nurses, health care aides and nursing attendants.

Ramped up hiring efforts is expected to offset the impact expected within the next five years – when about eight per cent of the AHS workforce, including 2,200 RNs and RPNs, could retire.

With files from Susan Amerongen