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<TITLE>Form 8-K, Item 2.02 and 9.01: Report of Operations and Financial Condition</TITLE>
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<META NAME="date" CONTENT="02/17/2011">
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:16pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:3.067px; font-size:14pt" align=center><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:16pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:3.067px; font-size:14pt" align=center><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt" align=center><B>Washington, D.C. &nbsp;20549</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:16pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:3.067px; font-size:14pt" align=center><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt" align=center>CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt" align=center>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 17, 2011 (February 17, 2011)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:16pt; margin:0px; font-size:14pt" align=center><B><U>National Health Investors, Inc. </U></B></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>Maryland </U></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>001-10822 </U></P>
</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>62-1470956 </U></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(Commission File No.)</P>
</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(IRS Employer</P>
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</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>Identification Number)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>222 Robert Rose Drive</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>Murfreesboro, TN 37129</U></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>(615) 890-9100 </U></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1.733px; font-size:12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center><U>Not Applicable </U></P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px" valign=top colspan=2><P style="line-height:14pt; margin:0px; font-size:12pt" align=center>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</P>
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<P style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12.2px; font-size:11pt; page-break-before:always">Item 2.02. &nbsp;&nbsp;Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; text-indent:30.267px; font-size:11pt">On February 17, 2011, National Health Investors, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) issued a press release announcing its earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010. &nbsp;A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.</P>
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<P style="line-height:12pt; margin:0px; text-indent:41.533px; font-size:11pt">The information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 herein, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">Item 9.01. &nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits.</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt" align=center>Exhibit Index</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt"><B>Number</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt"><B>Exhibit</B></P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">99.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">Fourth Quarter 2010 Earnings Press Release, dated February 17, 2011</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-left:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="margin:0px; padding:0px">&nbsp;</P></TD><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="margin:0px; padding:0px; font-size:11pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt" align=center>SIGNATURES</P>
<P style="line-height:12pt; margin:0px" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; text-indent:30.267px; font-size:11pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>
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<TABLE style="margin-top:0px; font-size:10pt" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0><TR><TD style="margin-top:0px"><P style="margin:0px; padding:0px">&nbsp;</P></TD><TD style="margin-top:0px"><P style="margin:0px; padding:0px">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px; border:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="margin-top:2.2px; margin-bottom:2.2px">&nbsp;</P>
</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-top:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">National Health Investors, Inc.</P>
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</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">By: &nbsp;<U>/s/Roger R. Hopkins</U> </P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-left:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="margin-top:2.2px; margin-bottom:2.2px">&nbsp;</P>
</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">Name: Roger R. Hopkins</P>
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</TD><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">Title: Chief Accounting Officer</P>
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<TR><TD style="margin-top:0px; border-left:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-right:1px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom:1px solid #FFFFFF" valign=top><P style="line-height:13pt; margin:0px; font-size:11pt">Date: February 17, 2011</P>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC", "cik": "0000877860", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "621470956", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10822", "film-number": "11619327"}, "business-address": {"street1": "222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE", "city": "MURFREESBORO", "state": "TN", "zip": "37129", "phone": "6158909100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE", "city": "MURFREESBORO", "state": "TN", "zip": "37129"}}
Form 8-K, Item 2.02 and 9.01: Report of Operations and Financial Condition
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 17, 2011 (February 17, 2011)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-10822
62-1470956
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
222 Robert Rose Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 2.02.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 17, 2011, National Health Investors, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.  A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
The information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 herein, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.
Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit Index
Number
Exhibit
99.1
Fourth Quarter 2010 Earnings Press Release, dated February 17, 2011
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
National Health Investors, Inc.
By:
/s/Roger R. Hopkins
Name: Roger R. Hopkins
Title: Chief Accounting Officer
Date: February 17, 2011