The aim of this study was to search the literature for scientific evidence on nursing care for newborns undergoing phototherapy. The method used consisted of an integrative review of 20 articles located in the SCIELO and LILACS electronic library databases. The results showed that the role of nursing is indispensable in the knowledge of these procedures in order not only to fulfil the prescription but also to care for the jaundiced newborn with knowledge, safety, efficiency and special care to achieve the results. The study leads to the conclusion that nursing has a wide-ranging role, from the complete identification of components, handling, choice, adaptation, adjustment and irradiance measurement of phototherapy devices with or without the baby, to the specific care of the newborn undergoing phototherapy treatment in order to obtain the best results, in the shortest time and with the minimum acceptable side effects in this practice.