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Oklahoma has an aging population, with 16.4% of its inhabitants being over the age of 65 as of 2022. Perhaps even more noteworthy is that the percentage of older adults in Oklahoma who report having a disability is 17% higher than the national average. To provide the care these Oklahoma citizens need, the state is looking at expanding care options, like those in nursing homes, and they need dedicated health care staff to accomplish these goals. Those wondering how to become a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma should know that this career path can have a tremendous impact on the care of older adults in their state.

Becoming a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma starts with obtaining a bachelor’s degree, but many nursing homes are looking for health care students who want to go further. Studying for a master’s degree in nursing can help prospective nursing home administrators learn leadership skills and become subject matter experts.

What Is a Nursing Home Administrator?

A nursing home administrator oversees the care of the residents of a nursing home. They supervise and coordinate the work of all the different departments that keep a nursing home running safely and effectively, always striving to provide top-quality care for the nursing home residents. A nursing home administrator organizes, implements, and optimizes nursing services, but they also focus on the needs of the residents beyond their nursing care, including food service and recreational programs. They may also have financial duties, like budget setting and management.

Nursing Home Administrator Job Description

The duties and responsibilities of a nursing home administrator include the following:

• Monitoring the operations of the nursing home

• Developing strategies to improve the care, safety, and efficiency of the nursing home

• Building relationships with the external stakeholders of the nursing home, like other health care providers that work with the nursing home or regulatory bodies that ensure the safety of the nursing home

• Setting and maintaining the budget and overall financial stability of the nursing home

• Hiring, training, and evaluating staff

• Adhering to all laws, regulations, and policies, both at the federal and state level

• Implementing quality assurance initiatives and managing compliance with all standards

Nursing Home Administrator Salary and Job Outlook

Becoming a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma can be a very fulfilling career path. In this position, one plays a vital role in ensuring that the nursing home is a caring, safe, secure, happy, and healthy place. In addition to being emotionally fulfilling, pursuing a career as a nursing home administrator can also be highly lucrative.

Nursing Home Administrator Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual nursing home administrator salary is $97,490 as of May 2023. Multiple factors can affect this salary, including location, years in the position, and the nursing home itself. Some nursing homes also offer bonuses to their nursing home administrators, which can increase annual pay.

Nursing Home Administrator Career Outlook

Nursing home administrators are a type of medical and health services manager. According to the BLS, the number of positions for medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 29% between 2023 and 2033, which significantly outpaces the average growth rate for all occupations in the United States.

Why such tremendous growth? As of 2024, someone turning 65 has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care service, like a nursing home, according to LongTermCare.gov. The U.S. population is older today than it has ever been before, and it is continuing to age. The number of Americans aged 65 or older is projected to grow from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, with the total share of the U.S. population going from 17% to 23%, according to the Population Reference Bureau. With a greater need for nursing homes and long-term care facilities for an aging population comes a growing need for nursing home administrators.

How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator in Oklahoma

Each state has different requirements for how to become a nursing home administrator. However, there are many general requirements, as well as specific needs for a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma.

Education Requirements

In general, a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma needs at least a bachelor’s degree in health care administration or a related field. However, it’s helpful for future nursing home administrators to pursue higher education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing . A nursing home administrator must develop leadership skills and be able to demonstrate their awareness of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards. Pursuing further education allows these future nursing home professionals to hone their skills and knowledge and stand out among other job candidates.

Professional Experience

In addition to learning state and federal laws and regulations, a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma must also be licensed to work in this position by the state of Oklahoma. Although requirements vary by nursing home, a nursing home administrator typically needs to have worked in a nursing home environment for at least five years. 

After reaching the position of nursing home administrator, most nursing homes require the administrator to continue to look for professional development opportunities . It’s essential for administrators in this position to continue learning since doing so enables them to stay on top of health care changes and provide the highest-quality, up-to-date care to residents.

Necessary Skills

Skills necessary to thrive as a nursing home administrator include the following:

• Leadership: Nursing home administrators play a role in every team in a nursing home, so they must be prepared to be leaders and keep each team running.

• Operations management: Nursing home administrators keep the whole facility running, which is why they need to be organized and able to maintain the operations of the nursing home.

• Budget management: A nursing home can only run smoothly if it has enough money to support it, which is why a nursing home administrator needs to stay on top of the budget.

• Detail-oriented: Nursing home administrators oversee a lot, but they need to be able to see the big picture as well as the small details to provide the best care for residents.

• Communication skills: Nursing home administrators work with many people throughout their workday, both internally in the nursing home and with external stakeholders, so they need to be able to communicate well with all involved.

Preparing for Your Nursing Home Administrator Career in Oklahoma

Becoming a nursing home administrator in Oklahoma means making a vital difference in an ongoing struggle for the state. Oklahoma needs health care professionals who want to care for its aging population, providing the highest-quality care and enriching their lives. The University of Tulsa’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares students to make that difference. Students have the option to pursue a leadership track, which is ideal for a leader such as a nursing home administrator. They’ll also hone other skills essential to the role, like communication, budgeting, and staffing.

Find out how you can become a health care leader with TU.

Recommended Readings

Is an MSN Worth It? Reasons to Pursue This Advanced Degree

10 MSN Specialties: How a Concentration Can Help You Focus Your Degree

10 Nursing Certifications for MSN Graduates

Sources:

LongTermCare.gov, How Much Care Will You Need?

Oklahoma.gov, The Current State of Aging in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Department of Health, Long Term Care Administrator Licensing Program 

Payscale, Average Nursing Home Administrator Salary 

Population Reference Bureau, Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers

ZipRecruiter, Nursing Home Administrator Job Description Sample Template