Academic success, defined as the completion of a nursing program and passing the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), is the goal of all nursing programs. The identification of specific variables related to academic success could identify students at risk of failing early. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship of two variables related to academic success, self-efficacy and grade point averages (GPA), in accelerated and regular BSN students. The results of this study suggest that a statistically significant, positive relationship exists between prerequisite GP A and self-efficacy of BSN students. In addition, the results suggest that a statistically significant difference existed between the prerequisite GP A of the accelerated and the regular nursing students. The conclusion of this research suggests that the combination of self-efficacy and prerequisite grades provides one opportunity for early identification and intervention of at risk students
