Do you enjoy working with the elderly? Do you like the idea of improving their lives by running a nursing home that adequately meets their needs? Have you considered becoming a nursing home administrator?
Keep reading. In this article, we'll discuss what it means to be a nursing home administrator, the required education you'll need, and several training programs you can enroll in online.
What Is a Nursing Home Administrator?
Nursing home administrators are in charge of managing patients and employees within nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
It can be a complicated job that involves financial, logistical, and interpersonal skills. Nursing home administrators are ultimately in charge of all the daily operations at the facilities they manage.
A large part of their job is ensuring that the facility itself, as well as those who work in it, meet all local and federal regulations. They are also in charge of the financial and human resource aspects of the facility.
Some of the many job duties of a nursing home administrator include:
- hiring employees and providing training
- communicating effectively with residents, family, staff, and the general public
- organizing and coordinating activities for residents
- creating and adhering to budgets
- providing appropriate care to residents and meeting all of their needs
Nursing home administrators often work long hours that may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
If the nursing home is understaffed, they may have to cover shifts working on the floors in addition to their administrative duties.
What Education Do You Need to Become a Nursing Home Administrator?
Below are the different levels of education you can pursue to become a nursing home administrator.
Bachelor's Degree
Most nursing home administrators have at least a bachelor's degree. This degree may be in any field; however, healthcare or management degrees are most common.
Many nursing home administrators start their career as a nurse, social worker, or other healthcare professional and later decide to move into an administrator's role.
Therefore, degrees in nursing, social work, and health science are common.
Master's Degree
Some nursing home administrators may decide to obtain a master's degree or more specialized training to help them handle the many facets of their chosen career.
Master's degrees in healthcare administration, aging, gerontology, and related fields provide advanced education that many nursing home administrators find beneficial.
Certificate
Finally, if you have a bachelor's or master's degree in an unrelated field but want to receive specialized training in nursing home administration, you may be able to enroll in a short-term certificate program.
These programs provide targeted education in gerontology or nursing home administration and allow you to graduate with the necessary skills much more quickly than if you were pursuing a degree.
License
Once you have completed your education, you will need to receive a license to work as a nursing home administrator.
The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards administers the license examination.
What Are Some Online Nursing Home Administrator Training Programs?
If becoming a nursing home administrator sounds like a career for you, then you may want to enroll in a degree or training program right away.
The following programs can be completed entirely online as you continue working and pursuing your career interests.
1. Utica University
Utica University is a private college with campuses throughout New York. This small school offers many of its degrees and certificates in a fully online format.
One program offered online is a nursing home administrator certificate. This program consists of 15 credit hours and can be completed in just one year.
The certificate program provides all the instruction you need to pass the licensing exam. It also counts as credit toward Utica's Master of Science in health administration for anyone desiring an advanced degree.
2. Pennsylvania State University, Abington
This school, commonly called PennState Abington, is located in Pennsylvania. It is one branch of the multi-campus Pennsylvania State University.
This school offers a nursing home administrator training program that leads to a certificate. Each class is offered in real time via Zoom.
The program consists of 120 hours of class time, with each session lasting for seven and a half hours. Two classes per session are completed weekly on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
3. St. Joseph's College of Maine
St. Joseph's College of Maine is a small Catholic school in Standish, ME. It has more students who attend online than in person.
This school offers an online Bachelor of Science in long-term care administration. This is one of the only degree programs specific to long-term care administration available online.
This program offers flexible online scheduling and an ability to transfer as many as 90 credits toward your degree.
Graduates will have the opportunity to pursue administrative roles in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long term care facilities.
4. Regent University
Regent University is located in Virginia Beach, VA. It is known for offering many flexible online degree programs in many different fields.
For those hoping to become nursing home administrators, two degree options are available: a Bachelor of Science in professional studies and a Bachelor of Science in healthcare management.
Both of these online programs offer a concentration in nursing home administration and require 120 credits to graduate.
5. Louisiana State University, Alexandria
Louisiana State University in Alexandria is part of the Louisiana State University System, which offers some of its many degrees online.
This school offers a Bachelor of Science in long term care administration. This program prepares students to fill management roles at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and more.
The 120-hour degree program provides top-level instruction in a convenient online format, whatever your schedule may be.
Become a Nursing Home Administrator Today
Becoming a nursing home administrator can be a challenging but rewarding career. Receiving the proper training will help you develop the skills you need to thrive.
