First year nursing students at a small public university participated in a longitudinal study following a bridge course to prepare them for the transition to college and rigorous nursing curriculum. The bridge course included activities to identify challenges and strategies for success, develop belonging with peers and faculty, and explore students' capacity for resilience. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the four-year study tracked admission metrics and academic progression and gathered qualitative data through interviews and a focus group. Descriptive statistics examined the impact of success indicators at time of admission to the program, and qualitative responses explored ways the bridge program and subsequent supports may have influenced persistence. No single student attribute predicted success, and multiple supportive factors enabled on-time graduation. This study may offer valuable insights into effective strategies for retaining nursing students, enabling them to graduate in four years and become licensed to join the nursing workforce.