Masters In Nursing Home Administrator

Nursing Home Administrator Salary And Job Growth

Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Health Administration at Valpo – Jessica Curran

As the need for new and larger nursing homes grows, many organizations seek administrative professionals who have an advanced degree and related experience to guide their facilities. Because of their high demand, nursing home administrators typically earn high salaries and are given wide workplace autonomy.

The growing need for nursing homes presents an exciting opportunity for those looking to become administrators. In the past, many administrative roles have been filled by those already working in the medical profession who decided to transition to management or administrative positions. As many of those administrators retire, there is an expanding window of opportunity for interested individuals to fill those roles and pursue an exciting new career.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , health care administration jobs, such as nursing home administrators, are projected to grow by 32% between 2019 and 2029. This represents a substantially faster rate than the average projected growth for all occupations. Those who pursue the role could land a financially rewarding position the BLS lists the 2020 median annual pay for medical and health services managers at $104,280.

Why Become A Nursing Home Administrator

Nursing home administrators have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of patients and their families, and the staff and employees who attend to them. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated one in five Americans will be over the age of 65 by the year 2030, and the majority of their families and households are not equipped to accommodate them. Many Americans will turn to nursing homes to care for their loved ones, and nursing home administrators will be responsible for the delivery of that care.

For some professionals, learning how to become a nursing home administrator is an opportunity to transition to a new role in their career, combining a passion for helping others with a management role. As the administrator of a facility, roles and responsibilities can be both extensive and challenging, however they can also be incredibly fulfilling. With control over facility procedures and atmosphere, nursing home administrators are able to shape the living environment of patients, and encourage the positive delivery of care.

How Can I Become A Nursing Home Administrator

Individuals wondering how to become a nursing home administrator can find all the information they need on this page, including education and licensing requirements. The vast majority of these professionals hold a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field, though some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree.

All 50 states require these professionals to hold licensure, although requirements for receiving this requirement vary by state. Keep reading to learn more about the steps that must be taken to fill this role, including salary information.

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Salary And Job Outlook For Nursing Home Administrators

Individuals who become nursing home administrators usually work 40-hour weeks that may include evenings and weekends, depending on the needs of residents and staff. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics places nursing home administrators in the category of medical and health services managers. As of May 2019, professionals in this occupation earned an annual median salary of $100,980. The lowest 10% of nursing home administrators earned an annual salary of $58,820, while the highest 10% earned more than $189,000.

According to the BLS, as of 2020, there are more than 83,000 nursing homes and similar facilities in the private sector, with some 2,500 others funded by state or local governments. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32% between 2019 and 2029, which is eight times the average growth for all occupations.

As baby boomers continue to age, they will require the medical attention of more doctors, home health nurses, and registered nurses. Greater demand will also exist for nursing home administrators, primary care providers, and other professionals who are working in nursing homes or physicians offices.

Earn A Degree In Healthadministration

How to Write a Personal Statement for a Masters in Healthcare ...

Some states onlyrequire students to have earned an associate degree in order to becredentialed as a licensed nursing home administrator , but themajority require at least a four-year degree. However, with the jobmarket becoming more and more competitive, many students chose topursue a masters degree in business administration or healthadministration to gain more skills and a competitive advantage.

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Most Common Education Requirements

A nursing degree isnt required to be a nursing home administrator. The most common requirements include:

A bachelors degree in healthcare administration
An internship or administrator-in-training program
Passage of one of three licensing exams offered by the National Association of LongTerm Care Administration Boards exam
State requirements such as continuing education, annual or biennial license renewal, and a background check

Earn A Masters Degree

After completing a bachelors degree, students typically pursue a masters degree because many employers require candidates for nursing home administrator positions to hold this advanced degree. A masters program, such as an online Master of Health Administration , is designed to provide students with the organizational, decision-making, and management skills they need to be successful nursing home administrators.

Students in this program can tailor their studies to their career goals by opting to focus on one aspect of healthcare administration. For example, they may elect to concentrate on courses on healthcare analytics, enabling them to effectively use the massive amounts of digital data to improve healthcare operations and delivery. Students can also choose to focus on courses that delve into healthcare marketing strategies or healthcare policy and economics. These programs usually last from two to three years, and students may also be able to participate in a one-year supervised internship program.

What Do Nursing Home Administrators Do

Nursing home administrators are a type of healthcare administrator. They are typically the top executive of a nursing home, also known as a long-term care or skilled nursing facility. These homes offer 24-hour care, therapeutic or rehabilitation services, and everyday activities for residents. Nursing home administrators may also work in memory care facilities, which focus on patients with dementia, or assisted living facilities, which offer more independent living options.

While a nursing home administrator doesnt need a clinical background, they are tasked with ensuring that resident care is of the highest quality.

Nursing home administrators are not medical office managers, who oversee the administrative staff in doctors offices and clinics. Rather, they oversee operations and act as the face of the facility. While a clinical background isnt required, an administrator is tasked with ensuring that resident care is of the highest quality.Due to the nature of the work, a nursing home administrators job isnt a Monday-through-Friday, 9-to-5 position. Weekends, evenings, and even holidays are likely required at times.

Primary responsibilities include:

Overseeing billing activities and medical records while maintaining the facilitys budget
Serving as a liaison among staff, patients, families, governing board, and the public

S To Becoming A Nursing Home Administrator

What Can You Do With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree?

Nursing home administrators share similar skills with other medical and health services managers. They have clinical and managerial experience as well as an educational background in the field. The following steps can help an individual better understand the process of how to become a nursing home administrator.

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Nursing Home Administrator Education

Many nursing home administrators begin their careers as registered nurses before returning to college to pursue a health care administration degree. Prospective administrators who are not RNs must first earn a degree in health care administration. Education requirements vary, but a nursing home may prefer applicants who possess a masters degree. After earning the health care administration degree, many states require graduates to complete training. Its important that graduates gain experience so they can effectively manage medical professionals. Finally, graduates must successfully complete the state and national licensing exam for nursing home administrators.

Touro University Worldwide offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Long-Term Care Administration that can help prepare individuals for careers as nursing home administrators.

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:

An associate or bachelors degree
Passing scores on a national and/or state exam
Anywhere from 200-2,080 hours of training, depending on the state and the level of degree you earn %20months%20of%20experience%20working%20fulltime%20in,a%20Board%20approved%20internship%20within” rel=”nofollow”> Alabama, you need 2,000 hours of training if you earn an associate degree if you earn a masters, you only need 200 hours of training)
Continuing education credits so you can renew your license the number of CE credits you need depends on the state youre licensed in

You can check out the licensing information below for specifics on each state.

Nursing Home Administrator Work Settings

Nursing home administrators are employed by a variety of facilitiesnot just traditional nursing homes. Below is information about many common workplaces they manage.

Adult day cares provide care for seniors during the daytime only. Unpaid caregivers of elderly family or friends may take advantage of these facilities services to get a break from their caregiving duties or attend work.
Skilled nursing facilities are for seniors who are unable to live independently and need round the clock care.
Continuing care retirement communities are designed to allow people to stay on one campus as they age and their needs change. They can start out in assisted living housing, where they live somewhat independently, and later move into a nursing home where they can receive 24/7 care.
Memory care facilities exist to provide care specifically to elderly people suffering from dementia or Alzheimers.
Department of Veteran Affairs nursing homes provide care for veterans. A portion of the veterans care is subsidized by the Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit.

Becoming A Nursing Home Administrator

Those looking to grow into a rewarding new career in the field of health care may consider becoming a nursing home administrator. Nursing home administrators are responsible for supervising the clinical and administrative affairs of nursing homes and related facilities. Typical duties also include overseeing staff and personnel, financial matters, medical care, medical supplies, facilities and other tasks required to run a nursing home facility. After completing a masters degree in health care administration, you would need to gain state licensure in order to become a nursing home administrator.

What Is A Typical Day For A Nursing Home Administrator

The administrator may arrive at work at 9 am. to a facility that is well into its day. There may be an inter-disciplinary patient care meeting planned with physicians and therapists and the patient’s family. Before that, though, the administrator will field several phone calls and settle a staff dispute. After the meeting, he or she will respond to emails and handle some other correspondence. The nursing home administrator may have to attend a training meeting with other administrators from the city or state. Arriving back at his facility he may find a family member of a resident who is dissatisfied with her care, and several phone calls to return. With luck, the administrator will end his day at 5:00.

Nursing home administrators are usually healthcare managers or healthcare administrators who are licensed by the state. Each administrator must pass certain exams before obtaining licensing to be a nursing home administrator. The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards has more information about the exams and practice tests. The salary of a nursing home administrator averages $88,580 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The duties vary according to the size and type of facility that employs the administrator, but even if their primary responsibility is supervision, they must be knowledgeable. It is safe to say that an nursing home administrator has a lot of duties throughout the course of day of the job.

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.

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

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Nursing Home Administrator Certifications & Licensure

Licensing to become a licensed nursing home administrator is done by individual states. The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Board oversees national level testing and administers the exams for the nursing home administration , resident care/assisted living , and home and community-based services certifications.

The Following Roberts Graduate Courses Also Satisfy Nys Requirements For Nha Licensure:

Management and Leadership for Nurse Administrators

MHI 575 – Health IT, Policy, Regulation and Law – no longer offered at Roberts
NSG 600 – Health Care Policy, Ethics, and Law – available online or onsite

NOTE: Completion of these 5-courses does not result in a certificate, but rather satisfies NYSDOH “Qualification 3” toward becoming a Nursing Home Administrator. To view all 6 qualifications required for licensure by NYSDOH, please visit:

For questions please contact the Nursing Home Administrator Licensure, please contact New York State Department of Health:

New York State Department of HealthBoard of Examiners of Nursing Home AdministratorsBureau of Professional Credentialing

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Online Coursework For Nursing Home Administrator Licensure

Our 100% online certificate provides the academic requirements you need to become a Nursing Home Administrator 1.

In our Nursing Home Administrator Certificate program, youll dive into management and long-term health care topics, and fulfill the academic requirements to obtain your NHA license1.

From ethical and legal issues, to finance, gerontology, and human resource management, our online courses will cover every aspect needed to prepare you for your career. You will be equipped to distinguish between the social, biological, and psychological issues of aging, and demonstrate an understanding of the management processes used in nursing homes.

Certificate graduates may go on to work in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, or long-term care facilities once obtaining licensure.

Is A Career In Healthcare Management In Your Future

Healthcare management careers like that of a nursing home administrator offer an excellent opportunity to put your business acumen to use in a meaningful field. Well-run nursing home facilities help improve the quality of life for residents and can provide peace of mind to the families of residents.

If this path sounds like it could be the right fit for you, visit the Healthcare Management degree program page to learn how our flexible online programs could help you take that first step.

Still not sure if nursing home administration is the right fit for you? Learn more about some of your potential options with our article What Can You Do With a Healthcare Management Degree? The Business Behind the Medicine.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

What Is A Nursing Home Administrator Benefits + Getting Started

Nursing home administrators manage long-term care facilities to ensure patients and employees get their needs met. Hereâs a guide to what they do and how to get started.

In a nursing home or long-term care facility, nursing home administrators are responsible for managing logistics, operations, and human resources. Like a principal in a school, the administrator takes care of any administrative duties to ensure both employees and patients have what they need to provide and receive safe and legal health care.

The number of health care jobs is projected to grow 16 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations . With an aging population entering long-term care facilities, and this demand for health care jobs, becoming a nursing home administrator could be a smart career choice for you.

This article will guide you through what a nursing home administrator is and how to get started

Earn A Bachelors Degree

Students who want to pursue careers as nursing home administrators first need to earn a bachelors degree, such as an online bachelors degree in healthcare management. A bachelors degree in healthcare management can teach students the skills theyll need to operate their own healthcare companies or work for an established facility. Earning this degree can provide students with a keen understanding of the healthcare industry as well as a strong background in business. At the end of these programs, students often complete an immersive practicum and a final course where they can apply what theyve learned in a healthcare setting.

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An Important Role In Health Care

The nursing home administrator role comprises essential duties that must be executed properly to ensure effectiveness. While these responsibilities are varied and widespread, theyre bound together by the underlying goal of delivering care to residents in a manner that affords them dignity.

With its online program, supportive environment, and the ability to graduate in as few as 24 months, the Regis College online Master of Health Administration was designed to provide you with the practical skills to succeed.

Discover how an advanced degree in health administration can help prepare you to excel in this challenging and rewarding role.

Start Your Journey To Becoming A Nursing Home Administrator

A career as a nursing home administrator can be fulfilling for those who seek to create a safe, supportive, and functional place for seniors to be cared for and enjoy life. The online masters in health administration program at Maryville University enables prospective nursing home administrators to complete their coursework online. Courses offered include Population Health Management, Healthcare Operations, Healthcare Technology and Information Systems, and Healthcare Financial Management.

Learn more about what nursing home administrators do and how the online MHA program at Maryville University can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in this potentially satisfying and worthwhile field.