Online Nursing Home Administration Courses and Classes

Online nursing home administration courses may be offered as part of a concentration within a health care management program at universities. Courses can also be found in standalone format for continuing education credits (CEUs) or preparatory examination review.

Overview of Online Nursing Home Administration Courses

Nursing home administrators provide long-term health care management or short-term rehabilitation for patients requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care. It is the administrator's responsibility to ensure that residents receive quality care according to state regulations and laws while also managing resident, family and staff issues. Due to state licensing requirements as well as the necessity for hands-on training, most nursing home administration training programs are not available fully online.
Instead, many programs feature a hybrid format combining online coursework and practicum experience obtained on-campus or at local health care facilities. This training may be offered as a concentration or specialization track within a larger health care degree program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. Generally, standalone online nursing home administration courses award certificates or CEUs which are required to renew licensure. Courses in nursing home administration may lead to employment in home health care services or nursing care facilities.

Course Requirements

A computer with Internet access, Flash Player and Javascript support is required to meet technical requirements for online courses. Some courses are presented through specialized teaching software systems, such as Blackboard. Web bulletin boards and e-mail are used for communication with instructors and students. Students also need commonly used word processing and document software programs, such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Hybrid courses require on-site participation and travel; practicum courses generally take place in a health care facility or similar lab setting.

List of Online Nursing Home Administration Courses

Health Services Financial Management Course

Students learn the basics of financial management concepts in health care using case studies and real-life examples. Other topics include health care financing, financial reports and insurance issues.

Gerontology Course

The physiological, psychological and social changes arising from aging are discussed in this course with in-depth examinations of their implications for health care services. The class also discusses end of life care needs.

Human Resources Management Course

This course focuses on management principles and methodology for personnel administration within health care facilities. Students learn about employee hiring and firing procedures, performance appraisals and union management.

Nursing Home Administration Course

This course provides students with an overview of the responsibilities of a nursing home administrator, including management of finances and human resources, regulatory compliance and marketing. Study covers multiple types of facilities for long-term care, such as senior housing and hospice care. Students examine the trends likely to shape the future of the field of long-term care systems.

Health Care Law Course

Students are given background on a wide variety of health care regulations and potential ethical issues arising from health care providers or institutions. Emphasis is placed on the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulations that set the standards for long-term care delivery.