What Is a Nursing Home Administrator? Benefits + Getting Started

Key takeaways

Nursing home administrators manage the day-to-day operations of nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and retirement homes.

• The median annual wage for nursing home administrators and related job roles is $117,960 [1]. 

• A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum qualification for a nursing home administrator. 

• You can complete a course in nursing home administration before applying for a license, which is required in some states. 

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What is a nursing home administrator?

Nursing home administrators manage the day-to-day operations of nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and retirement homes. While they are mostly responsible for administrative and clinical duties, they also help foster a safe, healthy environment for workers and residents.

Much of the operations and logistics are focused on making sure the facility adheres to state and federal regulations. This enables the facilities to continue receiving funding from the government and insurance companies.

Some nursing home administrators are nurses and doctors who understand how these facilities work and how to improve the clinical aspects. At times, they are the most senior members of the management team, but at larger facilities will have assistance from financial directors or nurse supervisors.

What does an administrator do at a nursing home?

As a nursing home administrator, you’ll have primary responsibilities as well as day-to-day tasks that support those main functions.

You’ll be expected to coordinate and supervise how health care is delivered within the facility, monitoring all the departments and moving parts to make sure they are compliant with state and federal regulatory guidelines. Nursing home administrators act as liaisons between health care staff, nurses, families, and the public, and they are constantly seeking out ways to maintain a happy, safe, and healthy environment.

Tasks might include:

• Delegating tasks for providing 24/7 care

• Scheduling activities for residents (patients)

• Overseeing billing, expenses, and accounting

• Attending meetings to discuss budget, compliance, and operational policies

• Coordinating work schedules for staff

• Purchasing medical equipment and supplies

• Hiring, training, and evaluating health care professionals and staff

• Managing patient records systems, processes, and tools

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Nursing home administrator skills

If you are considering a career as a nursing home administrator, you’ll need the following skills to succeed.

• Leadership and management skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Effective communication

• Time management

• Financial literacy and the ability to manage a budget

• Human resources skills

• Dedication to providing a safe and legal health care environment

• Organizational skills

• Knowledge of health care, both the clinical and administrative aspects

• Understanding of health informatics

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Nursing home administrator salary and job outlook

Nursing home administrators, along with other medical and health services managers, can earn an annual median salary of $117,960 [1]. The job outlook is also promising, as it is projected to grow 23 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the average of 4 percent [1, 2].

Overall, the number of health care jobs is projected to grow by 1.9 million jobs annually between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations [3]. With an aging population entering long-term care facilities and the rising demand for health care jobs, becoming a nursing home administrator could be a smart career choice for you.

Benefits of becoming a nursing home administrator

Nursing home administrators get to be the “face” of a nursing home, adult care community, or other long-term care facility. Administrators get to work with many people and teams. They are typically paid well and in high demand, while also making a positive difference in the long-term care sector. 

How to become a nursing home administrator

Do you think a career as a nursing home administrator is right for you? Before you begin, check out your state’s requirements for becoming one. The exact requirements will vary state by state. Here are the steps to becoming one. 

1. Get a bachelor’s degree.

To become a nursing home administrator, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree. While it is recommended that you get a health administration degree, you can also major in business administration or any other health-related field.

You may also need to complete a course in nursing home administration before moving forward. Some states require an Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program (typically an internship) or field experience. Many nurses or doctors go on to become nursing home administrators, so they are already qualified to take the exam. For some employers, a master’s degree is required.

According to Zippia, 60 percent of nursing home administrators hold a bachelor’s degree, while 19 percent have a master’s and 14 percent have an associate degree [4].

2. Take the exam.

After you’ve earned at least a bachelor’s degree and the necessary training, you can take the Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Examination administered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards.

The exam consists of two components:

• Core of Knowledge Exam for Long Term Care Administrators with 125 questions 

• Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam with 75 questions

3. Renew your nursing home administrator license with continuing education.

After you’ve passed the exam and met all of the qualifications for obtaining your license, you’ll need to complete continuing education courses every two years. These courses help you stay sharp and up-to-date with any advancements in long-term care.

Further, while a bachelor’s degree tends to be the minimum requirement of education for a nursing home administrator, many go on to earn master’s degrees. They usually choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Health Care Administration (MHA), or even a Master of Public Health (MPH). These programs provide the knowledge and credibility needed to manage a specialized health organization. 

Read more: 3 Reasons to Pursue a Health Care MBA

Explore our free health care career resources

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