Canada is expected to be short almost 60,000 full-time equivalent registered nurses by the year 2022, according to sector forecasts.

The Canadian Nurses Association statistics show the nurse shortage will grow almost five times within the next 11 years.

Despite the projections, the association has steered clear of suggesting an increase in attracting overseas nurses as the solution instead supporting a range of internal health reforms.

A CNA spokesman said the country was brimming with career opportunities for overseas nurses and remained a popular working destination.

"Nursing is full of opportunities to grow, to advance and to change career direction," he said.

"Whatever the interest - working with children, scientific procedures and high tech equipment, teaching and promoting healthy practices, developing your management skills - nursing has an opportunity."

In 2009, 22,023 internationally educated nurses worked in Canada – which represents 8.3 percent of the country’s total number of RNs.

In the last four years the number of Australian nurses taking the Canadian RN exam has remained stable at just under 50 a year.

The spokesmansaid one of the most exciting opportunities for nurses was nursing in the country’s north.

"Often, community health centres in Canada’s north are run completely by the nurse - independent and in charge," he said.

"Many Aboriginal nurses return home to help their communities, other nurses find they enjoy learning about a different culture."

Canada has had a publicly funded hospital and medical care system since 1968 and its health sector is not centralised, instead falling under provincial jurisdictional areas.

Nurses wanting to work in Canada must apply to the provincial/territorial nursing regulatory body in the province or territory where they wish to work.

For a list of provincial and territorial regulatory bodies and their RN application process visit: http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/nursing/regulation/regbodies/default_e.aspx