The Relationship between Test of Essential Academic Skills and Nursing Final Course Grades for Sophomore Students in a Residential, Undergraduate, Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science Nursing Program

In light of the national nursing shortage, there is a heightened need to admit students to schools of nursing who are likely to persist through graduation. The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to determine if Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) subscale testing scores could predict the final course grade in a fundamentals of nursing course for sophomore students in a residential, undergraduate, pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program at a private university. Archival data consisting of information related to sophomore, residential, undergraduate, pre-licensure BSN students at a private university during the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 academic years were used in this study. The 2015-2016 sample consisted of 138 sophomore nursing students. The 2016-2017 sample consisted of 160 sophomore nursing students. The 2017-2018 sample consisted of 188 sophomore nursing students. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The null hypothesis for the 2015-2016 study sample was rejected. The null hypothesis for the 2016-2017 study sample was rejected. The null hypothesis for the 2017-2018 study sample was rejected. Based on the results of this research study, the TEAS subscale testing scores can predict the final grade in a fundamentals of nursing course. Recommendations for future research include conducting similar research when the 2018 Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice are released and implemented in BSN Schools of Nursing and expanding the research to include Diploma and Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) programs.