Your go-to guide to building a career as a nursing home administrator

Nursing homes provide care and support for seniors and people with disabilities who struggle to care for themselves. Nursing home administrators are the professionals who ensure high standards of care while overseeing staff and making decisions.

A nursing home administrator is the point of contact between residents and their families. An aging population and an increasing need for long-term care services create a demand for these professionals. This article describes a nursing home administrator's role, responsibilities, work environment, skills, and salary expectations.

What does a nursing home administrator do?

Nursing home administrators manage long-term care facilities, the facility's upkeep, and residents' well-being. Their key responsibilities include the following.

Oversee the facility's day-to-day operations, such as planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures.
Hire and train nursing home staff members.
Communicate with residents, prospective residents, and their families.
Work with clinical staff to create a care plan for each resident and oversee residents' progress and condition.
Oversee the facility's policies, rules, and procedures to comply with governmental regulations.
Establish a practical budget for the facility and allocate funds to specific departments or expenses.
Manage janitorial and support staff to ensure the facility's cleanliness.

A day in the life of a nursing home administrator

Let's look at what your typical day would be like.

Work environment

As a nursing home administrator, you work in an office as part of the facility's management team. You'll oversee staff and complete paperwork, spending most of your day at a desk.

You'll probably experience some stress in this job. For example, some days could involve numerous patient transfers and other events that require coordination. Consequently, you need to manage stress effectively and stay calm during trying situations. You might also have to assume other health care services' roles, perhaps picking up the work of an aide or nurse who calls in sick.

Schedule

Most nursing home administrators work full-time, typically during regular business hours. However, there may be occasions when you need to work overtime. Since nursing homes operate 24 hours daily, including holidays, you must be ready to work accordingly. This is especially true during an emergency. When a resident's family member has concerns, they often wish to talk directly with the administrator to resolve the problem.

Qualifications for becoming a nursing home administrator

Let's explore the qualifications you'll need to become a nursing home administrator.

Education

Nursing home administrators can follow varied paths to this career. For instance, you can obtain a master's degree in health care administration or related areas of study for the managerial aspects of this job. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many nursing home administrators are registered nurses for several years before they pursue administrative positions.

An RN must complete an appropriate program to obtain a license. You'll need an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing, which can take two to four years to complete. You must also pass a state-administered exam to receive your registered nursing license.

A master's degree in health care administration and an RN degree can help fuel your career trajectory toward an administrative position. Many RNs return to school for their master's degrees. Earning advanced degrees expands your employment options and salary potential.

“Knowing how to analyze and interpret patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance data can help you make informed decisions.”

Experience

Nursing home administrators need several years of clinical experience to manage medical professionals well. You might work in a clinical role or as an administrator in other healthcare venues, such as assisted living facilities or rehabilitation centers, to gain this experience.

There is no set amount of experience to land a job as a healthcare administrator. However, increased experience will give your resume more weight and improve your chances of being hired.

Skills

You'll need the following skills to excel in long-term care administration:

Familiarity with health care software: Proficiency in electronic health records systems and other health care management software helps carry out operations efficiently.
Personnel management: You'll be responsible for hiring, training, and managing the facility's staff. Personnel management abilities can make managing your workforce easier.
Organization: Nursing homes can prove busy and chaotic, so you need excellent organizational skills.
Communication: Strong communication skills help you interact with residents and their families, nursing home staff, and outside medical professionals.
Data analysis: Knowing how to analyze and interpret patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance data can help you make informed decisions.
Operations management: Managing the daily operations of long-term care facilities and providing necessary support and resources for patients and their families require strong operations management skills.
Leadership: Having strong leadership skills helps create a safe environment for personnel and residents.

Salary expectations

A nursing home administrator's salary depends on their experience and the location and size of the facility. The average annual salary for this position is $85,000.

Job outlook for nursing home administrators

The BLS includes nursing home administrators in its "medical and health services managers" category, projecting employment to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033. Many do not become nursing home administrators until later in their careers because of the emphasis on experience. As a result, the turnover is higher than in other positions as administrators age and retire, creating new job opportunities for younger professionals.

Career path

A nursing home administrator's career path includes planning your goals around education, licensure, and progressive experience in health care management. You'll be responsible for creating safe, supportive environments for patients and staff and maintaining high standards of care. If you're considering a career in nursing home administration, start searching for new job openings today.

The guide can help you get a better idea of the role of a nursing home administrator and the qualifications and skills you need to excel in this career path.

If you have a resume ready and are looking for roles as a nursing home administrator, upload it to CareerBuilder to get noticed!