Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsNonvestedOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of equity-based payment instruments, that vested during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsVestedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(f)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(d)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901