Florida Woman Accused of Faking Nurse Credentials and Treating Over 4,400 Patients Before Being Caught
PALM COAST, FLORIDA — Authorities say a 29-year-old Florida woman managed to pose as a registered nurse for seven months, treating thousands of patients at a local hospital before being caught during a promotion review.
The suspect, identified as Autumn Bardisa, worked at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, where she reportedly treated over 4,400 patients between late 2023 and mid-2024. Officials say Bardisa performed actual nursing duties — including administering medication, assisting doctors, and managing patient care — despite holding no valid nursing license.
Used Fake License Number and Marriage Name to Bypass Verification
Investigators allege that Bardisa used a fraudulent registered nurse (RN) license number and told staff her credentials had changed following marriage. The explanation initially went unquestioned, allowing her to continue working without detection.
Hospital administrators said Bardisa’s documentation appeared legitimate until a promotion review triggered a deeper background check. During verification, staff discovered the license number belonged to a different person, prompting immediate termination and law enforcement involvement.
Authorities later confirmed Bardisa had no registered nurse credentials and only possessed an expired Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license.
“This was a deliberate and sustained deception that endangered patient safety,” said one hospital spokesperson. “The fact that she treated thousands of patients makes this one of the most serious cases of credential fraud we’ve seen.”
Arrest and Criminal Charges
Bardisa was arrested shortly after the discovery and now faces multiple felony charges, including practicing without a license and falsifying medical credentials. Authorities say she also faces potential charges under state laws addressing healthcare fraud and impersonation of a licensed professional.
She was booked into the Flagler County Jail, where she remains pending trial.
Law enforcement officials described the incident as one of the most alarming cases of medical impersonation ever uncovered in the region.
Hospital and Patient Response
AdventHealth officials released a statement assuring patients that the hospital has strengthened its credential verification process following the incident. They also said that while Bardisa had interacted with more than 4,000 patients, there were no immediate reports of harm resulting from her actions.
The hospital has been working with state regulators and law enforcement to audit all patient records handled during Bardisa’s tenure to ensure care standards were not compromised.
Broader Concerns About Credential Fraud in Healthcare
The case has reignited discussions around medical credential verification and the ease with which fraudulent documentation can bypass digital systems. Experts say such cases are becoming more common, particularly as hospitals struggle with staffing shortages.
Healthcare investigators emphasize the need for routine audits, cross-state license checks, and better digital safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“This case is a wake-up call,” said one Florida healthcare official. “If someone can impersonate a nurse for seven months and see thousands of patients, it exposes a dangerous gap in our verification systems.”
Authorities continue to investigate how Bardisa obtained and used the false credentials, including whether others may have been involved in fabricating the documentation.
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