Abstract: Maintains that the Nurse Practitioner (NP) role has the potential to achieve more equitable outcomes for rural populations, particularly for older adults in their transition from hospital to the rural setting. Examines how NPs can reduce readmissions, from a thematic analysis of the literature using a realist synthesis approach, focusing on the Thames Coromandel rural community. Derives three themes from the analysis: self-efficacy, holistic care, and care grounded in nursing philosophy.