Nursing Home Administrators: Education and Careers
A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that by 2030, unprecedented numbers of people will be entering nursing homes as the baby boomer generation ages. To meet the demand, there need to be widespread reforms, such as requiring insurance to pay for older people’s nursing home expenses and making long-term care more accessible.
If you’re interested in running a business efficiently while also helping others, a career as a nursing home administrator may interest you.
What Is a Nursing Home Administrator?
Nursing home administrators oversee all operations at nursing home facilities, including both clinical and administrative tasks. These tasks include dealing with budgetary issues, marketing, patient care, and staff management.
Nursing home administrators (NHAs) are a a type of long term care administrator (LTC). LTCs oversee facilities that care for people who are unable to adequately care for themselves. The umbrella of long term care administrator also includes licensed residential care and assisted living administrators (RCALs) and home- and community-based services administrators (HCBSs).
Salary and Job Growth for Nursing Home Administrators
According to Payscale.com, nursing home administrators earned an average salary of $90,528 as of May 2020. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for all medical and health services managers, which includes nursing home administrators, are expected to grow by 18% between 2018 and 2028. This is much faster than the national average for all jobs, which is 4% to 6%.
What Do Nursing Home Administrators Do?
Nursing home administrators run the operations of nursing homes. They must gain funding and manage the budget of the facility they operate so they can afford to pay qualified staff, obtain any medical equipment they need, and pay for advertisement. Additionally, they ensure federal and state safety standards are in place so their clients can live healthy and pain-free lives. Nursing home administrators also represent their facility at board or investor meetings.
In addition to their administrative duties, NHAs manage the staff members at their facility, including caretakers, nurses, and administrative assistants.. They set work schedules, carry out performance reviews, and make sure employees are following best practices for patient care.
Nursing Home Administrator Work Settings
Nursing home administrators are employed by a variety of facilities—not just traditional nursing homes. Below is information about many common workplaces they manage.
How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator: Educational Paths
Most states require NHAs to earn a license to practice. The requirements for licensure vary by state, but common requirements include:
You can check out the licensing information below for specifics on each state.
Earn an Associate Degree
Some states only require their nursing home administrators to have an associate degree, though the ones that have this educational requirement also require a substantial number of training hours. It’s important to note that even if a state only requires an associate for licensure, some employers may require more advanced degrees.
Most states that require only an associate degree require an Associate of Arts degree rather than an Associate of Science. Specific nursing home administrator associate degrees are rare, so you should pick a concentration in healthcare management. Examples of concentrations include:
For any concentration, you should learn about medical terminology, U.S. healthcare systems, healthcare policy, and conflict resolution.
To be accepted into an associate program, you will need a high school diploma or GED and possibly take a placement exam. Associate programs typically take two years to complete. If you want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field, you don’t need to obtain an associate degree—though if you choose to transfer credits from an associate program to a four-year school, you may save money in the long run.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Most states require at least a bachelor’s degree for licensure. Bachelor’s degrees in nursing home administration are rare, but many programs offer concentrations such as healthcare administration or health services administration.
To be accepted into a bachelor’s program, you will need a high school diploma, typically with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, or a GED. You may also need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal essay. Bachelor’s programs usually take four years (or 120 credit hours) to complete.
You can expect to take classes such as healthcare economics, healthcare marketing, healthcare quality management, and healthcare research. You may also be required to complete a capstone project.
Earn a Master’s Degree
Some states require you to have a master’s degree in healthcare administration to earn your license. Even if your state doesn’t require it, earning one can mean you need fewer training hours or you may be more competitive for certain jobs.
As with associate or bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees specifically in nursing home administration are rare. Instead, you can earn your master’s in long-term care or healthcare administration. Other master’s degrees that may be useful or required are a Master of Science in gerontology or a Master of Business of Administration (MBA) in healthcare administration.
Master’s degrees typically take two years to complete. You may also be expected to complete a capstone project or thesis.
Earn a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Earning a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration may make you a more attractive candidate for jobs or boost your earning potential. You could also become a professor, teaching future generations to succeed in the nursing home administration field.
Doctoral degrees typically take four to six years to complete, and a dissertation will be required.
Earning Your Nursing Home Administrator License
Each state has different requirements for getting licensed as a nursing home administrator. All states require nursing home administrators to pass the long-term care national licensure exam. The national exam is sometimes referred to as the NAB, as the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) administers the exam.
Other common requirements for licensure include:
To renew your license, you may have to earn continuing education credits.
Earning Continuing Education Credits
Most states require nursing home administrators to earn continuing education (CE) credits to renew their license. The number of CE hours required varies by state. For example, Alabama requires 24 hours of CE per year. North Carolina requires 30 hours every two years.
The National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) is NAB’s branch charged with reviewing and approving CE providers. They review courses and seminars offered as CE units to ensure they meet quality standards. Popular continuing education courses cover topics like abuse and neglect, customer service, and memory care and dementia and may often be completed online via services like CEU Academy.
LNHA Requirements by State
The following information was gathered from National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards, Provider Management LLC, and state licensing boards.
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 19
Training Requirements: 2,000 hours with an A.A. OR 1,000 hours with a B.A. OR 200 hours an M.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 24 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 19
Training Requirements: Unspecified
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 18 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 50 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 3 months to 1 year of experience, depending on degree earned
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
Education Required: M.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 480 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 2,000 hours (waiver of 500 hours for 1 year of experience; waiver of 1,000 hours for 2 years of experience)
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You do not have to take continuing education credits.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 900 hours with a B.A. OR 500 hours with an M.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 3 to 12 months, depending on degree
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 48 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 1 year with a B.A. OR 6 months with an M.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: If you have a B.A. in healthcare administration: 650 hours of internship OR If you have a B.A. in healthcare administration: 1,000 hours of an AIT program OR If you have a B.A. in non-healthcare field: 2,000 hours in an AIT program
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 6 months
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 2,080 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You do not have to take continuing education credits.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 2 years of experience with an A.A. OR No experience required with a B.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 36 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 1,040 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 720 training hours or 400 hours of a practicum
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 480 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 50 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1,080 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 30 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1,040 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 15 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 2,040 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You do not have to take continuing education credits.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 2,080 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 1 year internship
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: 9 semester credits or 144 hours of instruction in a state-approved program
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: None
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 36 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: None
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 30 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: 64 college credit hours
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 2 years of experience with less than a B.A. OR No experience required with a B.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 2 years of experience with an A.A. OR 1 year of experience with a B.A. or M.A.
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: High school diploma
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 1,200 hours of course instruction, training, and/or experience
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 25 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 19
Training Requirements: 640 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 50 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 30 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1 year
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 870 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 60 continuing education units every 3 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: None
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 24 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 1 year
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 48 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: Minimum of 1 year of college
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 2 years of experience with no college OR No experience required with 1 year of college compelted
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 30 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 480 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 1,500 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 560 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 24 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 960 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: 120 hours of study, experience, and/or training
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 800 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 48 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 350 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: None
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 240 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 400 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 18 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: 1,000 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 40 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 2,000 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 1,500 hours
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 36 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: 21
Training Requirements: 2,040 hours
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 20 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: A.A.
Minimum Age: 18
Training Requirements: None
This state does require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 24 continuing education units every 2 years.
For more information, visit your state board
Education Required: B.A.
Minimum Age: Unspecified
Training Requirements: 18 months
This state does not require you to pass an exam.
You will need to complete 25 continuing education units every year.
For more information, visit your state board
Resources for Nursing Home Administrators
The following resources may help NHA students and practitioners learn more about NHA careers and stay abreast of trends in the field.
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SCHOOLS
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming