Providing students with effective retention strategies allows nursing schools to help as many struggling students as possible, leading to an increased number of graduates. A nationwide nursing shortage has forced schools to try to keep up with the demands. However, many obstacles prevent students from being successful. This qualitative study gained insight and perspectives from faculty members who teach nursing students about what strategies are successful and what strategies are not successful in retaining nursing students. Once the student is admitted to a nursing program, faculty must ensure that the student encounters a positive learning environment. Someone must train nursing instructors to provide academic support to those students who may have issues that may affect their performance in nursing school. Equally, nursing school admission departments must work to ensure that the most qualified students receive admission. The pressure to keep up with the demands of the nursing workforce should not be a higher priority than ensuring that a student can succeed in nursing school. This study also uncovered the importance of student participation in their education and faculty support efforts to engage the students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]