Nashville State and TriStar Horizon Medical Center Announce Nursing Program Coming to Dickson

In collaboration with TriStar Horizon Medical Center, Nashville State Community College is bringing its nursing program to Dickson to help meet the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals in the region.

Pending approval by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the program’s new additional instructional site is expected to launch during the Spring 2026 semester, with classes starting on January 20, 2026.

Nashville State’s School of Health Sciences dean, Donna Whitehouse, expressed optimism of full approval.

“The college has a strong history of producing successful graduate outcomes while meeting strict industry requirements.”

Initially, the program will be at TriStar Horizon Medical Center. The instructional site will transition to its permanent location a few hundred feet away at the Dickson County Center for Higher Education, the future home of Nashville State’s Dickson campus, once construction is completed later in 2026.

Nashville State has opened the application window for the Spring 2026 nursing cohorts at the Dickson and White Bridge campuses. The Dickson cohort will offer 24 student slots in its first term. The application is on Nashville State’s Nursing program webpage at https://nscc.edu/academics/programs/nursing/admission-and-selection-process.php.

“This collaboration is exactly what we envisioned at the earliest onset of conversations with our workforce partners,” said Telaina Wrigley, Nashville State’s Dickson campus director. “With TriStar Horizon, we are working to meet the high demand for well-trained healthcare professionals in Dickson County and the surrounding area.”

“We are thrilled to work alongside Nashville State Community College to increase access to nursing education in our community,” said Gina Bullington, chief nursing officer at TriStar Horizon Medical Center. “Our hospital is committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of nurses to receive high-quality education and hands-on training through clinical rotations at our hospital.”  

HOAR Construction is leading construction of the Dickson County Center for Higher Education. Nashville-based Anecdote Architectural Experiences is overseeing the design of the new facility. TriStar Horizon Medical Center generously donated the nine-acre site for the new facility, which will provide students with modern learning spaces once completed.

Dickson County Center for Higher Education, future home of Nashville State's Dickson campus. Roadside view.

Dickson County Center for Higher Education, future home of Nashville State's Dickson campus. Back parking view.