<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-23-023497.txt : 20230831
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-23-023497.hdr.sgml : 20230831
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230831181614
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-23-023497
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20230830
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230831
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230831

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Jobe James R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001362322

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10822
		FILM NUMBER:		231230184

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		707 REGAL DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37129

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000877860
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				621470956
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37129
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158909100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37129
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0508</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2023-08-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000877860</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001362322</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Jobe James R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2058 ALEXANDER BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock - Jointly held with spouse</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2023-08-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>51.3982</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14979</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock - IRA SEP</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2-21-2020</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>90.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2-25-2021</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>69.20</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2021-02-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-02-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to buy) 2022</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>53.41</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2022-02-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-02-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy) 2023</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>54.73</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-02-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-02-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Kimberly V. Ouimet, by limited power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2023-08-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
