Nursing Home Administrator Training Program and Schools
Learn about the best nursing home administrator training programs and schools in the U.S.
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<p>Nursing home administrators are in charge of making sure that nursing homes run smoothly and in accordance with all care and safety legislation.
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<p>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.
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<h2 id="section---WhatIsANursingHomeAdministrator">What is a Nursing Home Administrator?</h2>
<p>A nursing home administrator is a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/General_Medical_Career_Profiles.html">medical professional</a> who supervises the daily operations of long-term care facilities.
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<p>Nursing home administrators typically have both administrative and clinical duties
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<p><b>Typical duties may include:</b>
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<ul><li>advertising to bring in new residents
</li><li>advocating for patient care
</li><li>coordinate patient activities
</li><li>creating patient care standards
</li><li>ensuring compliance with care laws
</li><li>managing finances
</li><li>managing staff and personnel
</li><li>obtaining medical equipment
</li><li>reporting to the board of directors
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HowToBecomeANursingHomeAdministrator">How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator</h2>
<p>Nursing home administrators are licensed at the state level, and each state has its own requirements for licensure.
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<p>Most states require at least a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degree</a> to become a nursing home administrator, but several allow licensure for those with associate degrees.
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<p>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).
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<p>You can view individual state requirements at nabweb.org.
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<p>While a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> isn't a requirement for licensure, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree.
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<p>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.
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<p>Some colleges and universities offer programs specifically for long-term care administration.
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<h2 id="section---NursingHomeAdministratorProgramsAndSchools">Nursing Home Administrator Programs and Schools</h2>
<p>The National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards accredits a handful of colleges and universities.
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<p><b>They accredit schools for:</b>
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<ul><li>nursing home administration (NHA)
</li><li>residential care/assisted living (RCAL)
</li><li>health services executive (HSE) qualification
</li></ul><p>All schools listed below have been accredited by the NAB. You can find a full list of accredited schools at nabweb.org.
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<h3 id="section---1.BowlingGreenStateUniversity">1. Bowling Green State University</h3>
<p>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.
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<p>The program blends the core gerontology major with courses in accounting, economics, and management.
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<p>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.
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<h3 id="section---2.EasternWashingtonUniversity">2. Eastern Washington University</h3>
<p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Eastern_Washington_University.html">Eastern Washington University</a> is a public university southeast of Spokane. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in health services administration with a long-term care option.
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<p>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.
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<p>The program meets the requirements for the nursing home administrator license set by the state of Washington.
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<h3 id="section---3.SaintJosephSCollegeOfMaine">3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine</h3>
<p>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.
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<p>The program is offered online and has two track options: nursing home administration and assisted living administration.
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<p>Students can take graduate-level classes, allowing them to transition smoothly into the Master of Health Administration program.
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<h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfMinnesotaTwinCities">4. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities</h3>
<p>The <a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/University_of_Minnesota.html">University of Minnesota</a> Twin Cities is the flagship campus of the University of Minnesota system and spans the 'twin cities' of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
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<p>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.
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<p>The university also offers other options for those pursuing long-term care administration positions.
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<p><b>These include:</b>
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<ul><li>long-term care professional graduate series
</li><li>long-term care management certificate
</li><li>management in assisted living and senior care settings course
</li></ul><h3 id="section---5.UniversityOfWisconsinNdashEauClaire">5. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire</h3>
<p>The <a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/University_of_Wisconsin.html">University of Wisconsin</a>–Eau Claire is a member of the public University of Wisconsin system. It offers a bachelor's degree in health care administration.
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<p>This is a four-year program that includes a 12-month paid administrative residency in a long-term care facility.
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<p>Once a student has graduated, they are eligible to sit for the nursing home administrators licensure exam in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and many other states.
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<h3 id="section---6.UtahTechUniversity">6. Utah Tech University</h3>
<p>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.
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<p><b>Coursework includes topics such as:</b>
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<ul><li>health law and policy
</li><li>healthcare quality and safety
</li><li>management of healthcare organizations and strategy
</li><li>patient navigation
</li></ul><p>The long-term care emphasis prepares students for executive roles and to provide support to aging populations.
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<h3 id="section---7.VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity">7. Virginia Commonwealth University</h3>
<p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Virginia_Commonwealth_University.html">Virginia Commonwealth University</a> is a public research university in Richmond. It offers a Master of Science in gerontology with a specialty in assisted living administration.
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<p>The 30-credit program is flexible, allowing students to learn online or on campus and offering part-time and full-time schedules.
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<p>Students will learn how to effectively serve aging populations and support optimal aging for older patients, their families, and their caregivers.
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<h3 id="section---8.WesternKentuckyUniversity">8. Western Kentucky University</h3>
<p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Western_Kentucky_University.html">Western Kentucky University</a> is a public university in southern Kentucky. It offers a Bachelor of Science in health care administration.
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<p>The program is accredited by the NAB when completed along with the long-term care administration certificate and required internship.
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<p>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.
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<h2 id="section---BecomeANursingHomeAdministratorToday">Become a Nursing Home Administrator Today</h2>
<p>To <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Career_Planning_FAQs.html">start your career</a> 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.</p>