"There are three things to remember about education. The first is motivation. The second one is motivation. The third one is motivation" (Maehr and Meyer, 1997 p372). It is important to understand motivation and the reasons why nurses, including educators and clinicians, need to continually motivate their students both in the classroom and within clinical practice. Using relevant literature, the following case study explores the significant issues pertinent in motivating a student undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing. A combination of motivational and learning theories are used in the process of assisting this student to learn from her recent assessment failure and to become re-motivated. There is a discussion of the significance of this case and the key issues drawn from it, which may assist nursing staff in supporting student nurses to remain motivated within the clinical area.