Dallas-Fort Worth area hiring practices of CNA's

[Brendym27]

I am applying to nursing school for fall '10 entry and am considering taking a CNA soon to get some experience (and possible tuition reimbursement) at a local hospital.

I live in the Fort Worth,TX area and have heard by a couple of Nurse recruiters that many hospitals are not hiring CNA's as much as they used to; instead, due to the economy, hospitals are cutting back on CNA positions and other bed side care support and just using RN's.

Do any experienced nurses out there have any knowledge regarding this trend?

Thank you.

[Papis]

I don't live in Dallas but over here in Houston, it is almost impossible to get a CNA job anywhere. I just graduated from a CNA program and passed the State license but I can not find a CNA job anywhere. I regret spending the money on the CNA program. No matter what the teachers tell you, there is no CNA job out there, go for LVN or medical assistant, you will be better off. CNA classes, waste of time.

[topher-67]

CNA classes a waste of time??? I guess it's all in how you use your training. Hospitals aren't the only places to work.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Hospital CNA jobs are hard to find in the DFW area.

Your chances of getting hired into a CNA position are exponentially better if you seek a job in less desirable workplace settings such as home health, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, and hospices.

[dcRn2b]

I have my CNA and going thru the Rn program. I work during the summers and school full time from Aug-May. The program I was originally going thru required you to have your CNA before you could even apply.I am really glad they did because you will use a lot of your CNA skills thru the program. The best place I would recommend finding a job is with a LTC facility. During clinical your on med-Surg for most of your 2years and you will find most of med-surg is elderly. I have found the nursing home is very rewarding and you would be amazed how much you bond with them!! good luck on your schooling and finding a job your happy with :)

[pomegranate]

I'm a nursing student who got my CNA last year. Apparently NO PLACE in the DFW is hiring, not even the "less desirable" facilities like nursing homes or psych...because I've applied to tons of jobs and gotten one interview, of which nothing came. Total waste of my time getting it.

Anyway, even some nursing homes/LTACs do tuition reimbursement (I know Kindred does) and if you have no health care experience at all, the CNA class will make Fundamentals of Nursing really easy (read: boring) for you.

[Brandon2712]

For those of you in the DFW area, I'm a PCT at Medical Center-Lewisville and we are in need of techs for both day and night shift. Apply through the website!

[mlsellers6]

Hey what is the pay for cna or pct on a average 17 yrs exp.