Pre-entry academic achievement and student success in associate degree nursing programs

This research addresses the larger social context of a nursing shortage and the supply of registered nurses. This quantitative, correlational, predictive design has explored the use of prerequisite coursework grade point average, and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) sub scores in English, math, reading, and science to predict retention in the first semester, program completion, and mastery of the National Council Licensure Exam. The findings suggest the independent variable prerequisite grade point average has no predictability with retention, persistence, or mastery of the National Council Licensure Exam. The independent variables TEAS English and TEAS science have predictability for retention. The findings also suggest TEAS science has predictability for both persistence and mastery of the National Council Licensure Exam. The implications of these results will support the use of the TEAS exam in the admission process as well as the identification of "at risk" students at both colleges. The results will also be of value in the reauthorization of California Assembly Bill 1559, Multicriteria Screening Process in Associate Degree Nursing Programs