How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator
A nursing home administrator is someone who works in a care home or other old age facility and who specializes in administrative tasks that keep the systems of the home running smoothly. These professionals need not only strong administrative skills, but also many of the same skills as healthcare workers. Most nursing home administrators work directly in one or more nursing homes, but some may work partly or even completely from home depending on the needs of the facility and the worker's role. Other work environments include retirement facilities, certain hospital wards, and memory care facilities. Different states have different licensing requirements, but most require at least a bachelor's degree, training and nursing home administrator certification courses for all those wishing to work in this field.
Steps to Becoming a Nursing Home Administrator
- Obtain a bachelor's degree (in most states) or an associate's degree
- Consider a master's degree, which is becoming more desirable in this field
- Obtain experience in the field, especially as a nurse or through university internships or in management positions
- Get administration training
- Pass a certification exam that is relevant in your state
- Consider continuing education, which is often needed to renew your license
Online Nursing Home Administrator Degree Program
Nursing home administration, or long-term care administration, combines the expertise of business management with the skills and knowledge needed in a long-term nursing care environment. These programs cover topics in health care systems, ethics, facility management, financial management and the aging process.
Programs are available in fully online and hybrid formats. The curriculum typically is geared toward the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) certification exam, along with state licensure exams.
Students may earn an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or certificate in health care administration or closely related subject. Graduates can find careers in assisted living, long-term care, skilled nursing and other residential care facilities.
Individuals who want to become nursing home administrators can learn about health care management and specialized topics related to aging through undergraduate- and graduate-level online courses. Online courses and degrees can offer a lot of flexibility, especially for those who are working during their university careers. Be sure that whatever course you are signing up for is clear about any in-person or location requirements, particularly for examinations. Most undergraduate degrees require between 90 and 120 credits, and many allow for the possibility of transfer credits from other institutions if applicable. Few degrees are available for less than $20,000, and some cost more. Be sure to look into scholarships and financial aid that you qualify for when pursuing your education.
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Nursing Home Administrator Classes
Here are some of the courses commonly offered in an online nursing home administration program.
- Nursing Facility Financial Management Course: This course presents the unique financial issues of long-term care facilities and covers billing procedures for public and private health care payers. Aspiring nursing home administrators gain an understanding of accounting and finance management theories as they apply to nursing home care.
- Long-Term Care Laws and Ethics Course: A course in the legal issues of nursing home management provides updated information about current laws, policy, regulations and ethical concerns in the management of long-term care facilities. Students learn about many subject areas, like hospice care and government regulation.
- Understanding Aging Course: Students study the human aging process and the particular illnesses and common needs of the elderly. Discussions about psychological and physiological changes associated with aging take place. By understanding the aging process, students learn how to provide health services to elderly clients.
- Human Resources in Health Care Course: A human resources course teaches about labor practices as they pertain to health care facilities and health care workers. Subjects covered include recruitment, retention and job performance. This type of course also reviews union relations, diversity practices and management.
- Long-Term Nursing Home Administration Course: Students learn how the various elements of management come together and how to apply these principles to the administration of a long-term care facility. Financial and legal knowledge, decision-making skills and personnel management techniques are brought into the context of nursing home administration.
- Issues in Aging Course: In this class, students examine the aging process and current issues related to the aging Baby Boomer generation. Coursework covers the general processes of aging, with a focus on social issues facing today's aging population. Studies emphasize current financial, political and sociological factors that impact the elderly.
- Health Care Quality Management Course: This course provides an overview of the methods that administrators in health care facilities like nursing homes can use to improve treatment delivery and patient outcomes. Students learn how to measure productivity and develop strategies that increase the quality care, cut costs and reduce waste.
- Human Relations Course: This course prepares future nursing home administrators to handle human relations issues in health care settings. They build their communication and leadership skills so that they can motivate workers and foster positive staff relations that improve facility productivity.
