The selection processes of nursing programs are commonly used mechanisms to identify potentially successful students. The selection processes of most nursing programs today are based solely on academic ability; however, it is clear that non-academic skills, such as those encompassed by the concept of emotional intelligence, are also important for success in nursing school and in the nursing profession. Consistent identification of students most likely to succeed can assist in decreasing attrition rates. The purpose of this study was to determine what correlation exists between nursing students’ emotional intelligence and their success in a nursing program. In addition, the predictive ability of emotional intelligence was compared with that of traditional academic variables in the realm of nursing student success. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) was used to measure trait emotional intelligence in a sample of 115 baccalaureate nursing students attending a public university in the mid-south United States. No significant relationship was found between emotional intelligence and end-of-semester nursing grade point averages (GPAs). Emotional intelligence was not found to be a significant predictor of nursing student success. Among the academic and non-academic variables used in regression analysis, only pre-nursing GPAs were found to be significant predictors of end-of semester nursing GPAs. Implications for nurse educators are discussed.