Attention Sophomores
Welcome to JumpStart Your Junior Year, a comprehensive transition experience designed to prepare you for success as you move into your junior year in the Rutgers School of Nursing.
JumpStart provides coordinated guidance in:
- Academic advising
- Clinical compliance
- Simulation & clinical learning
- Uniform ordering and preparation
- Academic success strategies
This experience is delivered through a new JumpStart Canvas Community, combined with required in-person and virtual sessions throughout the spring term.
NEW: JumpStart Canvas Community
Beginning in February, all eligible sophomores will be invited to join the JumpStart Your Junior Year Canvas Community.
This Canvas site will serve as your central hub for everything related to your transition to junior year, including:
- Official announcements and reminders
- Required forms and instructions
- Session recordings and presentation slides
- Clinical compliance guidance
- Uniform ordering information
- Academic success resources
- Important deadlines
You do not need to self-enroll. If you are eligible for junior-year progression, you will automatically receive a Canvas invitation in February. Once enrolled, all required steps, deadlines, and meeting links will be communicated through Canvas.
JumpStart Program Components
JumpStart is organized around four core areas:
Academic Advising
Group advising sessions help students understand:
- Academic eligibility
- Program audits
- Transition from professional advising to faculty advising
Students will attend a required group advising session for their campus. Session details and links will be provided in the JumpStart Canvas Community.
Clinical Compliance
All undergraduate nursing students must complete clinical compliance requirements before enrolling in any course with a practicum component. These requirements ensure student safety, protect patients, and maintain compliance with clinical affiliation agreements.
Compliance standards align with:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- New Jersey Board of Nursing
- CDC guidelines for healthcare workers
Failure to complete requirements by the stated deadlines will result in ineligibility for clinical placement.
Detailed instructions and required documents will be available in Canvas, including:
- RU Cleared
- Clinical Compliance Handout (Traditional Program)
- Clinical Compliance Presentation
Simulation & Clinical Learning
Students will participate in a required Simulation & Clinical Learning session, which introduces:
- Simulation labs
- Clinical learning environments
- Junior-year clinical expectations
These sessions may include on-campus simulation tours. Campus-specific details will be shared in Canvas.
Office of Academic Success (OAS)
Students will participate in a Transition to Junior Year Nursing Workshop facilitated by the Office of Academic Success.
This interactive session includes:
- A panel of faculty-nominated peer tutors
- Strategies for managing junior-level coursework and clinicals
- Breakout rooms for individualized Q&A
A recording and transcript will be posted in the JumpStart Canvas Community for students who cannot attend live.
School of Nursing Uniforms
Students will be able to:
- Order uniforms directly from the approved vendor
- Attend an in-person fitting event on their campus
Vendor links, package pricing, and fitting details will be posted in the JumpStart Canvas Community.
Please note embroidered scrub tops will no longer be required. Name tags will be provided and included in package pricing.
Uniform Pick-Up
The uniform vendor will provide on-campus distribution days for Newark and New Brunswick.
Pick-up dates, times, and locations will be announced in Canvas.
Students unable to attend their assigned pickup must contact the vendor directly to arrange alternate delivery.
Getting Started
Your next step is to look out for your JumpStart Canvas invitation in February.
Once enrolled, you will receive all required instructions, deadlines, and session information through Canvas.
Questions?
Dr. Yosayra Solano
Assistant Dean for Academic Enrichment & EOF Director
Rutgers School of Nursing
yfs6@sn.rutgers.edu