Background Integrative reviews within healthcare promote a holistic understanding of the research topic. Structure and a comprehensive approach within reviews are important to ensure the reliability in their findings. Aim This paper aims to provide a framework for novice nursing researchers undertaking integrative reviews. Discussion Established methods to form a research question, search literature, extract data, critically appraise extracted data and analyse review findings are discussed and exemplified using the authors’ own review as a comprehensive and reliable approach for the novice nursing researcher undertaking an integrative literature review. Conclusion Providing a comprehensive audit trail that details how an integrative literature review has been conducted increases and ensures the results are reproducible. The use of established tools to structure the various components of an integrative review increases robustness and readers’ confidence in the review findings. Implications for practice Novice nursing researchers may increase the reliability of their results by employing a framework to guide them through the process of conducting an integrative review.

Australia's population is ageing. In 2017, 15% of the population was aged 65 and older and this is projected to increase to 22% by 2057. 1 In 2016-2017, people in this cohort accounted for 21.1% of all emergency department (ED) presentations 2 and often utilised increased resources in the ED due to the complexity of their acute care needs. 3 While EDs are able to deliver appropriate care, 4 it has been recognised that they can struggle to meet the complex needs of older people. Furthermore, the hospital environment poses a number of substantial risks to older people, especially patients from residential aged care facilities (RACFs), including hospital-acquired infections, deconditioning, delirium, pressure injuries and falls. 5 It has been suggested that 13%-40% of all transfers of individuals from residential aged care facilities to the ED