Aim Older residents of nursing homes have several illnesses and face various challenges regarding losses of physical and mental functioning. Thus, coping and the quality of life are vital aspects in long‐term care. Sense of coherence is considered an important resource for coping and the quality of life, and sense of coherence therefore needs to be validly and reliably measured in this population. We investigated the dimensionality, reliability and construct validity of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire in assessing sense of coherence among cognitively intact nursing home (NH) residents. Methods We collected cross‐sectional data from 227 cognitively intact NH residents (30 NHs) with one‐on‐one interviews. We performed confirmative factor analysis and correlations with the selected construct. Results and conclusion In accordance with the salutogenic theory of sense of coherence, the three‐factor model revealed the best fit to our data. In particular, item OLQ2, defined as ‘concerns the experience of being surprised by the behaviour of people whom you know well’, seemed troublesome. Removing this item resulted in good fit to the present data. Rewording or deleting item OLQ2 seems needed to get a reliable instrument measuring sense of coherence among nursing home residents.