Malta's medical profession added 159 nurses to its ranks yesterday.
Of the 159, 128 will be joining the health sector, with the remaining 31 working to care for the elderly.
A further crop of nurses are expected to join the 159 later this year, once they successfully complete their studies.
Health Minister Chris Fearne said it was "extremely satisfying" to see a healthy number of young people opt for a career in nursing.
Mr Fearne said that the government had employed 1,157 nurses since 2013, to make up for the shortage the nursing shortage the country had previously experienced.