The current and growing nurse faculty shortage is limiting student acceptance to nursing programs, indirectly threatening the nursing shortage. Noting a paucity of studies addressing associate degree nurse faculty, it was not known how job satisfaction influences the intent to stay in academe for full-time associate degree nurse faculty. The purpose of this qualitative explanatory single case study was to explore how job satisfaction influences the intent to stay in academe for full-time associate degree program nurse faculty in Lower Michigan. Using Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory of job satisfaction, this researcher asked how job satisfaction influences intent to stay in academe as well as how hygiene and motivation factors influence intent to stay. Recruited with purposeful sampling, 11 full-time associate degree nurse faculty from three nursing programs completed an online questionnaire, interview, and solicited diary. Other data sources included observation notes, analytic memos, and a reflective journal. In alignment with each Herzberg hygiene and motivation factor, 16 themes reveal that all factors influence job satisfaction as well as the intent to stay. Overall, the themes of making a positive difference, staying connected to students and teaching, and valued and supported as a professional educator explain how job satisfaction influences the intent to stay in academe. Although the finding that motivation factors are necessary for job satisfaction conflicts with Herzberg's original assertions, the theory is a useful framework for identifying factors influencing job satisfaction and intent to stay. Nursing program leaders can use these results to foster nurse faculty retention strategies. [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://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]