Label	Element	Value
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	$ (1,005,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(28,186,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(87,296,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1,127,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	243,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	290,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	273,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	243,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	41,265,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,069,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	40,190,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,050,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	69,977,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	34,488,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	39,717,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	21,693,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	8,246,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues	(275,000)
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	2,105,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	5,083,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	769,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	1,428,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance	2,000,000
Parent [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(2,736,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(27,790,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1,479,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(87,073,000)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	41,265,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,069,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,050,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	40,190,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	69,977,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	39,779,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	34,484,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	21,673,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	8,399,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues	(275,000)
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	5,083,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	1,428,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	769,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	2,105,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1,731,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(396,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(352,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(223,000)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	243,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	290,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	273,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	243,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	(62,000)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	4,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	(153,000)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	20,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance	2,000,000
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	8,399,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	39,779,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(48,292,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	34,484,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	69,965,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	34,484,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Loss, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	nhi_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxExcludingLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	39,779,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	21,673,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	8,399,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	5,076,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	769,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1,421,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1,830,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues	(275,000)
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation	7,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	5,083,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	1,428,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	2,105,000
APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	769,000
Retained Earnings, Appropriated [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(41,265,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(39,069,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(40,190,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(39,050,000)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,050,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	41,265,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	39,069,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	40,190,000
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	0
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	0
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(12,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	$ 12,000
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	269
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPeriodIncreaseDecrease	269
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPeriodIncreaseDecrease	21,099
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPeriodIncreaseDecrease	(1,195,712)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPeriodIncreaseDecrease	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross	21,000
Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	99
Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	463
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares	1,196,175