EDMINTON- A study whose work was funded by Health Canada for the Canadian Nurses Association predicts a nursing shortage of as many as 18,000 RNs by 2009 if the current health care system isn't changed.

According to Michael Villeneuve, co-author of the study, "the system is not prepared for the tsunami that will bring an aging population crashing down with only an aging, shrinking workforce to rely on for health care in years to come."  He said, "There will be an awful lot of old people treating old people....that wave is coming."

Villeneuve added that "the fears are nothing new, but still steps are not being taken."

According to Villeneuve, Canada must be open to bringing in foreign nurses and doctors to improve it's healthcare system and that more has to be done to offer "preventative" health care. "So that the system isn't just taking care of illnesses."

"Only 5% of the funding in Canada is now being used to prevent illness, with the rest being used to pay doctors, hospitals and pharmacists," Villeneuve said.

While the outlook looks bleak, Villeneuve is encouraged by the interest that Alberta is showing to the problem.  Alberta is one of the first Canadian provinces to show interest in the report calling for solutions to address the pending crisis.