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  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_EquipmentAndFurnitureMember" name="EquipmentAndFurnitureMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedGain" name="EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedGain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedLoss" name="EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedLoss" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRestrictedCost" name="EquitySecuritiesFvNiRestrictedCost" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_ExercisePriceRange1Member" name="ExercisePriceRange1Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_ExercisePriceRange2Member" name="ExercisePriceRange2Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_FederalFundsRateMember" name="FederalFundsRateMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_FiveSkilledNursingFacilitiesAcquiredInJune2026Member" name="FiveSkilledNursingFacilitiesAcquiredInJune2026Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_GainLossOnSaleOfUnconsolidatedCompany" name="GainLossOnSaleOfUnconsolidatedCompany" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_HomecareAndHospiceSegmentMember" name="HomecareAndHospiceSegmentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_HomecareAndHospiceServicesMember" name="HomecareAndHospiceServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_HomecareServicesSegmentMember" name="HomecareServicesSegmentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_IncreaseDecreaseInDueToThirdPartyPayors" name="IncreaseDecreaseInDueToThirdPartyPayors" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_InpatientServicesMember" name="InpatientServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_InpatientServicesSegmentMember" name="InpatientServicesSegmentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_July2026AcquisitionsFromNationalHealthInvestorsMember" name="July2026AcquisitionsFromNationalHealthInvestorsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_July2026CreditAgreementMember" name="July2026CreditAgreementMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_LesseeLeaseLiabilityMaturityTableTextBlock" name="LesseeLeaseLiabilityMaturityTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_LesseeOperatingAndFinanceLeasesTextBlock" name="LesseeOperatingAndFinanceLeasesTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_ManagedCareMember" name="ManagedCareMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_ManagementAndAccountingServicesFeesRevenue" name="ManagementAndAccountingServicesFeesRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_ManagementFeeRevenue" name="ManagementFeeRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_ManagementFeesRevenue" name="ManagementFeesRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_MarketableSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost" name="MarketableSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_MedicaidMember" name="MedicaidMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_MedicareAndMedicaidMember" name="MedicareAndMedicaidMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_MedicareMember" name="MedicareMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_MiscellaneousRevenue" name="MiscellaneousRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NHICommonStockMember" name="NHICommonStockMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NHILeaseAgreementMember" name="NHILeaseAgreementMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NationalMember" name="NationalMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NoteToFinancialStatementDetailsTextual" name="NoteToFinancialStatementDetailsTextual" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NotesToFinancialStatements" name="NotesToFinancialStatements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract" name="NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfAssistedLivingFacilities" name="NumberOfAssistedLivingFacilities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfBeds" name="NumberOfBeds" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfBehavioralHealthHospitals" name="NumberOfBehavioralHealthHospitals" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfHomecarePrograms" name="NumberOfHomecarePrograms" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfHospiceAgencies" name="NumberOfHospiceAgencies" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingCentersLeasedFromNHI" name="NumberOfIndependentLivingCentersLeasedFromNHI" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilities" name="NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilitiesAcquired" name="NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilitiesAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingBedsAcquired" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingBedsAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingCentersLeasedFromNHI" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingCentersLeasedFromNHI" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities1" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities1" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesAcquired" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesSubleased" name="NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesSubleased" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSubleasedNHIProperties" name="NumberOfSubleasedNHIProperties" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_NumberOfSubleasedSkilledNursingFacilities" name="NumberOfSubleasedSkilledNursingFacilities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesPolicyTextBlock" name="OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_OtherOperatingExpensesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="OtherOperatingExpensesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_OtherRevenues" name="OtherRevenues" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_OtherRevenuesTextBlock" name="OtherRevenuesTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowAccounts" name="PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowAccounts" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowForRealEstateAcquisition" name="PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowForRealEstateAcquisition" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_PaymentsForProceedsFromNotesReceivableTotal" name="PaymentsForProceedsFromNotesReceivableTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_PaymentsForProceedsFromUnconsolidatedInvestments" name="PaymentsForProceedsFromUnconsolidatedInvestments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_PolicyTable" name="PolicyTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_PrivatePayAndOtherMember" name="PrivatePayAndOtherMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_RestrictedMarketableDebtSecuritiesCurrent" name="RestrictedMarketableDebtSecuritiesCurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_RestrictedMarketableDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent" name="RestrictedMarketableDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTaxPercentage" name="RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTaxPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element id="nhc_ScheduleOfOtherRevenuesTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleOfOtherRevenuesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_TermFacilityMember" name="TermFacilityMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_WorkersCompensationRevenueMember" name="WorkersCompensationRevenueMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-amortized-cost-and-estimated-fair-value-of-debt-securities-as-available-for-sale-details" name="statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-amortized-cost-and-estimated-fair-value-of-debt-securities-as-available-for-sale-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-available-for-sale-marketable-equity-securities-details" name="statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-available-for-sale-marketable-equity-securities-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-marketable-securities-and-restricted-marketable-securities-details" name="statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-marketable-securities-and-restricted-marketable-securities-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-tables" name="statement-statement-note-10-investments-in-marketable-securities-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-11-fair-value-measurements-summary-of-fair-value-measurements-by-level-details" name="statement-statement-note-11-fair-value-measurements-summary-of-fair-value-measurements-by-level-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-11-fair-value-measurements-tables" name="statement-statement-note-11-fair-value-measurements-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-activity-related-to-goodwill-by-segment-details" name="statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-activity-related-to-goodwill-by-segment-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-indefinitelived-intangible-assets-details" name="statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-indefinitelived-intangible-assets-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-tables" name="statement-statement-note-12-goodwill-and-other-intangible-assets-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-options-outstanding-by-exercise-price-range-details" name="statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-options-outstanding-by-exercise-price-range-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-summary-of-assumptions-used-to-value-options-granted-details" name="statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-summary-of-assumptions-used-to-value-options-granted-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-summary-of-options-outstanding-details" name="statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-summary-of-options-outstanding-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-tables" name="statement-statement-note-14-stockbased-compensation-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-16-longterm-debt-summary-of-longterm-debt-details" name="statement-statement-note-16-longterm-debt-summary-of-longterm-debt-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-16-longterm-debt-tables" name="statement-statement-note-16-longterm-debt-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-3-acquisition-of-five-skilled-nursing-facilities-assets-acquired-and-liabilities-assumed-details" name="statement-statement-note-3-acquisition-of-five-skilled-nursing-facilities-assets-acquired-and-liabilities-assumed-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-3-acquisition-of-five-skilled-nursing-facilities-tables" name="statement-statement-note-3-acquisition-of-five-skilled-nursing-facilities-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-4-net-patient-revenues-revenue-disaggregation-details" name="statement-statement-note-4-net-patient-revenues-revenue-disaggregation-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-4-net-patient-revenues-tables" name="statement-statement-note-4-net-patient-revenues-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-5-other-revenues-summary-of-other-revenues-details" name="statement-statement-note-5-other-revenues-summary-of-other-revenues-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-5-other-revenues-tables" name="statement-statement-note-5-other-revenues-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-6-nonoperating-income-summary-of-nonoperating-income-details" name="statement-statement-note-6-nonoperating-income-summary-of-nonoperating-income-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-6-nonoperating-income-tables" name="statement-statement-note-6-nonoperating-income-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-7-business-segments-summary-of-financial-information-by-reporting-segment-details" name="statement-statement-note-7-business-segments-summary-of-financial-information-by-reporting-segment-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-7-business-segments-tables" name="statement-statement-note-7-business-segments-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-8-longterm-leases-maturity-of-lease-liabilities-details" name="statement-statement-note-8-longterm-leases-maturity-of-lease-liabilities-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-8-longterm-leases-tables" name="statement-statement-note-8-longterm-leases-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-9-earnings-per-share-summary-of-earnings-and-weighted-average-number-of-common-shares-used-in-calculation-of-basic-and-diluted-earnings-per-share-details" name="statement-statement-note-9-earnings-per-share-summary-of-earnings-and-weighted-average-number-of-common-shares-used-in-calculation-of-basic-and-diluted-earnings-per-share-details" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-note-9-earnings-per-share-tables" name="statement-statement-note-9-earnings-per-share-tables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="nhc_statement-statement-significant-accounting-policies-policies" name="statement-statement-significant-accounting-policies-policies" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
</xsd:schema>
