The retention of college students in America has become important in light of a steady trend of attrition over the past several decades. With changes to the healthcare system and the currently aging population, the retention of postsecondary nursing students is one specific area that is very important for the health of the nation. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of success in nursing school within one specific population of nursing students that were at risk for attrition. Findings indicate that the experience of failure, return and subsequent success in nursing school is a very complex journey. Through analysis of participants’ descriptions of this period in their lives nine themes emerged that describe this transformative experience.