Course Overview

The role of the nursing home administrator is to supervise, plan, develop, monitor, and maintain appropriate standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. The nursing home administrator must have effective communication, leadership, and business skills in order to be successful.

This Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators-approved specialty program is designed to provide core knowledge for those interested in pursuing a career in the long-term care administration field. The courses may also satisfy State of Pennsylvania license renewal requirements.

Course Scope

Consisting of sixteen courses, each 7.5 hours in length, the 120-hour program is taught by Penn State faculty and subject matter experts (SMEs). Enrollment is ongoing: begin in the spring and finish in the fall, or begin in the fall and finish in the spring.  The fall and spring sessions each have eight classes, for a total of sixteen sessions.

This training program satisfies the 120-hour education component as part of the NHA exam candidate application.  For information on qualifying for the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) exam, please visit requirements for admission to licensing examination; examination procedures.

Fall 2022 Schedule

Delivery: Live online via Zoom
Dates: Monday and Wednesday evenings
Time: 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $175 per 7.5 hour class
(16 classes totaling $2,800 for all 120 hours of training)

October 31 and November 2 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Gerontology, Diseases of Aging (HPA 5040)
Gerontology, diseases of aging, death and dying class presents the biological and psychosocial theories of the aging process. The stages of death and dying process will be discussed at length.
Register here

November 7 and 9 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Third Party Reimbursements (HPA 5044)
Long-term care reimbursements are discussed with case presentations and the appeal process.
Register here

November 14 and 16 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Personnel Management, Labor Relations (HPA 5043)
Program addresses personnel issues and labor relations in the long-term care setting. Performance appraisals, employee benefits, staff development and communication skills are addressed.
Register here

November 28 and 30 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Dietary Department, Resident Nutrition (HPA 5050)
Dietary Department and Resident Nutrition - Program will address the nutritional needs of the elderly resident.  Common eating problems/digestive problems will present the importance of assessing and corresponding treatment will be discussed.
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December 5 and 7 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Rehabilitation Services and Special Care (HPA 5047)
Rehabilitation services and special care needs this module discusses residents' rights to assessments, treatments, and service delivery systems of the long-term care facility.
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December 12 and 14 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Fiscal Management, Budgeting and Accounting (HPA 5042)
This session focuses on the financial management of the long-term care facility, budgeting and accounting.
Register here

Spring 2023 Schedule

Delivery: Live online via Zoom
Time: 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $175 per 7.5 hour class

Course Start Date End Date Registration
HPA 5052 - Risk Management, Safety, and Insurance Tuesday, January 17 Wednesday, January 18 Register here
HPA 5038 - Preparing for Licensure, Certification, Accreditation, Surveys, and other Regulatory Requirements Monday, January 23 Wednesday, January 25 Register here
HPA 5045 - Understanding Regulations, Deficiencies, Plans of Correction, and Quality Assurance Monday, January 30 Wednesday, February 1 Register here
HPA 5048 - Health Support Services, Pharmacy, Medical Records, and Diagnostic Services Monday, February 6 Wednesday, February 8 Register here
HPA 5051 - Social Services, Family/Community Relationships and Resident Rights Monday, February 13 Wednesday, February 15 Register here
HPA 5046 - Nursing Department, Resident Care Tuesday, February 21 Wednesday, February 22 Register here
HPA 5039 - Administration, Organization, and Management of the Long Term Care Facility Monday, February 27 Wednesday, March 1 Register here
HPA 5041 - Government in Healthcare Policy, Regulations, and Reimbursements Monday, March 6 Wednesday, March 8 Register here
HPA 5053 - Strategic Planning, Marketing Monday, March 13 Wednesday, March 15 Register here
HPA 5049 - Facilities Management Monday, March 20 Wednesday, March 22 Register here
HPA 5040 - Gerontology and Diseases of Aging Monday, March 27 Wednesday, March 29 Register here