Nursing Home Administration (NHA) Focus:
This is a very specific track that allows an individual to complete a degree and/or course requirements to become a licensed Nursing Home Administrator for the State of Nebraska. To receive the NHA licensure by the State of Nebraska the Human Services Program offers five on-line computer classes that meet the core educational requirements for Nursing Home Administration Licensure. Nursing Home Administration (NHA) and Assisted Living courses are also offered through the Business Administration Program.
What is a Nursing Home Administrator (NHA)?
A Nursing Home Administrator is a licensed individual who is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the operation of a nursing home, a home for the aged or infirm, or an integrated system or who in fact performs such functions, whether or not such functions are shared by one or more other persons.
How do you become a Nursing Home Administrator?
(A) Obtain an associate degree.
(B) Complete core educational requirements.
(C) Enter either the 640 hour Administrator in Training (AIT) or Mentoring program.
(D) Successfully pass the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Nursing Home Administration (NAB) National Exam.
Application Requirements & Instructions Chart for NHA
Licensure Requirements – Nursing Home Administrator: To assist a student in determining if he/she qualifies for licensure, find the degree or diploma currently held in the chart below. This, along with the corresponding experience, will determine whether a student is required to have the specified coursework and whether he/she is required to complete an administrator-in-training or mentoring program, or no additional training.
| DEGREE | EXPERIENCE | COURSEWORK REQUIRED | TRAINING REQUIRED |
| 1. No degree (high school diploma or GED required) |
Less than 2 years of experience working in a nursing home OR no experience working in a nursing home | * Associate Degree * Five Core Educational Requirements*** |
Administrator-in-Training Program (AIT) |
| 2. No degree (high school diploma or GED required) |
Previous work experience (at least 2 years working full time in a nursing home or home for the aged or infirm or previous work experience in health care) |
* Associate Degree * Five Core Educational Requirements*** |
AIT or Mentoring Program |
| 3. Associate Degree (no specific area of concentration) |
Less than 2 years of experience working in a nursing home or no experience working in a nursing home | * Five Core Educational Requirements*** | Administrator-in- Training program |
| 4. Associate Degree (no specific area of concentration) |
Previous work experience (at least 2 years working full time in a nursing home or home for the aged or infirm or previous work experience in health care |
* Five Core Educational Requirements*** | Mentoring Program |
| 5. Degree or Advanced Degree (no specific area of concentration) (baccalaureate, master’s or doctorate degree from an accredited institution) |
Less than 2 years of experience working in a nursing home OR no experience working in a nursing home | * Five Core Educational Requirements*** | Mentoring Program |
| 6. Degree or Advanced Degree in Health Care | Previous work experience in health care administration (at least 2 years working full time as an administrator or director of nursing of a hospital with a long term care unit or assisted living facility or director or nursing in a nursing home or home for the aged or infirm) |
Not required if have the appropriate work experience | Not Required |
| 7. Nursing Degree (degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program of professional nursing approved by the Board of Nursing) |
Previous work experience in health care administration (at least 2 years working full time as an administrator or director of nursing of a hospital with a long term care unit or assisted living facility or director of nursing in a nursing home or home for the aged or infirm) |
Not required if have the appropriate work experience | Mentoring Program |
The information in this chart is provided by: The Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Credentialing Division and Southeast Community College.
***Five Core Educational Requirements:
HMRS 2541 Social Services for LTC
HMRS 2542 Financial Management for LTC
HMRS 2544 Patient Care and Services
HMRS 2547 Administration for LTC
HMRS 2549 Rules, Regulations and Standards relating to the Operation of a Health Care Facility.
What are my NHA training options?
Administrator-in-training (AlT) : a person in the learner role who is actively involved in a program of supervised professional training and is directly supervised by a Nebraska certified preceptor* aimed at developing and refining confidence, and proficiency in the field of Nursing Home Administration.
Administrator-in-Training program: completion of at least 640 hours of training and experience, which shall be completed in not less than four calendar months, and shall be at least 20 hours per week. The training and experience shall occur in a Nebraska licensed home for the aged or infirm or nursing home, under the direct supervision of a Nebraska certified preceptor*.
Mentoring Program Trainee: a person in a learner role who is actively involved in a program of supervised professional training and is supervised by a Nebraska certified preceptor* aimed at developing and refining confidence and proficiency in the field of Nursing Home Administration.
Mentoring program: completion of at least 640 hours of training and experience, which shall be completed in not less than four (4) calendar months, and shall be at least 20 hours per week. The program shall occur in a Nebraska licensed home for the aged or infirm or nursing home, under the supervision of a Nebraska certified preceptor.* The certified preceptor in a mentoring program need not be at such facility during the period of such supervision but shall be available to assist with questions or problems as needed. A mentoring program may be gained as an internship, which is part of a degree or advanced degree or part of a degree or advanced degree in health care. A person in a mentoring
program may apply for a provisional license.
*Certified Preceptor: a person who is currently licensed by the State of Nebraska as a Nursing Home Administrator, has three years of experience as a Nursing Home Administrator, has practiced within the last two years in a nursing home or a home for the aged or infirm, and is approved by the board to supervise an administrator-in-training or a person in a mentoring program.
The AIT and/or mentoring program is a verbal agreement between the trainee, the preceptor, and Health and Human Services - Regulatory department.
It is recommended that a student seeking the NHA degree, take the Introduction to Assisted Living course.
Advanced standing is available for those individuals who already have an associate’s degree or beyond. (See the NHA & AL advisor).