Nursing Home Administrator Training Program and Schools

Nursing home administrators are in charge of making sure that nursing homes run smoothly and in accordance with all care and safety legislation.

To become a nursing home administrator, you'll need to earn a degree and a license. We'll break down everything you need to know below.

What is a Nursing Home Administrator?

A nursing home administrator is a medical professional who supervises the daily operations of long-term care facilities.

Nursing home administrators typically have both administrative and clinical duties

Typical duties may include:

• advertising to bring in new residents
• advocating for patient care
• coordinate patient activities
• creating patient care standards
• ensuring compliance with care laws
• managing finances
• managing staff and personnel
• obtaining medical equipment
• reporting to the board of directors

How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator

Nursing home administrators are licensed at the state level, and each state has its own requirements for licensure.

Most states require at least a bachelor's degree to become a nursing home administrator, but several allow licensure for those with associate degrees.

More than half of all states require a licensure exam. The exam is administered through the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

You can view individual state requirements at nabweb.org.

While a master's degree isn't a requirement for licensure, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree.

Most states do not specify a major. Many nursing home administrators start off as registered nurses, but many also major in healthcare administration or a related field.

Some colleges and universities offer programs specifically for long-term care administration.

Nursing Home Administrator Programs and Schools

The National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards accredits a handful of colleges and universities.

They accredit schools for:

• nursing home administration (NHA)
• residential care/assisted living (RCAL)
• health services executive (HSE) qualification

All schools listed below have been accredited by the NAB. You can find a full list of accredited schools at nabweb.org.

1. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University is a public research university just south of Toledo, OH. It offers a bachelor's in gerontology with a specialization in long-term care administration.

The program blends the core gerontology major with courses in accounting, economics, and management.

Bowling Green also offers a Master of Science in interdisciplinary gerontology program with a long-term care specialization, which requires 36 credits and an internship.

2. Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University is a public university southeast of Spokane. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in health services administration with a long-term care option.

The program is designed specifically for those seeking a career in nursing home administration, assisted living administration, and other types of long-term care administration.

The program meets the requirements for the nursing home administrator license set by the state of Washington.

3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private Catholic college near Portland, ME. It offers a Bachelor of Science in long-term care administration.

The program is offered online and has two track options: nursing home administration and assisted living administration.

Students can take graduate-level classes, allowing them to transition smoothly into the Master of Health Administration program.

4. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the flagship campus of the University of Minnesota system and spans the 'twin cities' of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

It offers a few long-term care administration programs, including a bachelor's degree in health service management. Students can take the long-term care management minor alongside the major.

The university also offers other options for those pursuing long-term care administration positions.

These include:

• long-term care professional graduate series
• long-term care management certificate
• management in assisted living and senior care settings course

5. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is a member of the public University of Wisconsin system. It offers a bachelor's degree in health care administration.

This is a four-year program that includes a 12-month paid administrative residency in a long-term care facility.

Once a student has graduated, they are eligible to sit for the nursing home administrators licensure exam in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and many other states.

6. Utah Tech University

Utah Tech University is a public university in the southwest corner of Utah. It offers a bachelor's degree in population health with an emphasis in long-term care.

Coursework includes topics such as:

• health law and policy
• healthcare quality and safety
• management of healthcare organizations and strategy
• patient navigation

The long-term care emphasis prepares students for executive roles and to provide support to aging populations.

7. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research university in Richmond. It offers a Master of Science in gerontology with a specialty in assisted living administration.

The 30-credit program is flexible, allowing students to learn online or on campus and offering part-time and full-time schedules.

Students will learn how to effectively serve aging populations and support optimal aging for older patients, their families, and their caregivers.

8. Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University is a public university in southern Kentucky. It offers a Bachelor of Science in health care administration.

The program is accredited by the NAB when completed along with the long-term care administration certificate and required internship.

The program includes the core health care administration curriculum as well as courses on aging and nursing facilities. The internship requires 1,000 hours of fieldwork.

Become a Nursing Home Administrator Today

To start your career as a nursing home administrator, you'll need to earn a degree from one of these top accredited schools in a related field before obtaining a license.