Photo: The Canadian Press

Quebec Premier François Legault walks in for question period Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 at the legislature in Quebec City. Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé, right, looks on. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Quebec is offering up to $18,000 in bonuses for full-time nurses to prevent more of them from quitting the province's struggling health-care system.

Premier François Legault told reporters today he is launching a "mini revolution" in the health network following months of pandemic-induced stresses that have contributed to a shortage of 4,300 nurses in the province.

Legault says full-time nurses in the public system will receive one-time bonuses of $15,000, adding that part-time nurses who switch to full-time work will also get bonuses of $15,000.

Nurses who have quit the public health-care network and want to return full-time will get $12,000.

And for full-time nurses who are working in five regions that are hit particularly hard by shortages, including Outaouais and Gaspé, the bonus will be $18,000.

Legault says nurses in the public system will also get priority for better work schedules compared with nurses who are hired through private placement agencies.