"I know the local community will welcome this news and it's great to see so many registered nurses moving from metropolitan to regional areas to ensure local patients are receiving the best treatment possible.
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"When I speak with some of my former nursing colleagues they are extremely happy that so many extra nurses are now working with them side by side easing the workload and allowing more quality time with patients," Mrs Williams said.
This local increase is mirrored in the regional NSW figures where nursing numbers have increased by a total of 1000.
The Minister for Health and Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, said since March 2011, 1000 additional nurses working across rural and regional Local Health Districts.
"This is fantastic news and underlines the NSW Government's commitment to ensuring best possible care for our regional communities," Mrs Skinner said.
The minister said hospitals across the State were benefitting from increased nurse numbers.
"We've seen an encouraging increase in nurse numbers throughout our regional Local Health Districts and they are no doubt ensuring better delivery of care for local patients," Mrs Skinner said.
Mrs Skinner said the 2012-13 Budget provides a total of $68.4 million for another 540 fulltime equivalent (FTE) nurse positions across NSW, which will actually translate to more than 540 nurses as many will elect to work part-time.
"NSW is served by some of the most skilled and committed nurses in the country."
