The NDP government says it will spend an extra $4 million over three years to double its recruitment target for nurses to 800 from 400.

"We're feeling very good today," said Rosalee Longmoore, president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses. "It's taken three years of work to get to that point."

A month ago, the Saskatchewan Party said it would add 800 more nurses — 600 that the union said the province needed to meet shortages, plus 200 more.

Saskatchewan Party MLA Don McMorris remarked that the NDP's announcement was made what could be a few days before an election call.

"They've had 16 years to deal with this issue, four years that we've really been raising it," McMorris said. "A week before [the election is called], they're going to start finally setting targets and addressing it."

The government also announced increased funding for other programs designed to retain nurses, totalling $11.5 million in new money.