PALM COAST, FLORIDA – A 29-year-old woman accused of posing as a fake nurse has been arrested in one of the most alarming cases of medical fraud in recent U.S. history. Authorities say Autumn Bardisa illegally provided medical services to over 4,400 patients while employed at a Florida hospital, despite having no valid license to practice as a registered nurse.
The Fake Nurse arrest follows a seven-month criminal investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, after red flags were raised by hospital staff at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, where Bardisa worked from July 2023 until January 2025.
The case first came to light when Bardisa was offered a promotion in January 2025. During routine vetting, a colleague discovered that Bardisa’s nursing assistant license had expired, prompting internal scrutiny. When hospital officials confronted her about the issue, she failed to provide necessary documentation to prove her credentials.
A deeper investigation revealed that Bardisa had submitted false documents and had been using a nursing license number belonging to another woman with the same first name, who worked at a different Advent Health facility.
Bardisa allegedly claimed the license discrepancy was the result of a recent surname change due to marriage. When asked to provide a marriage certificate, she failed to produce one.
“This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we’ve ever investigated,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “This woman potentially put thousands of lives at risk by pretending to be someone she was not and violating the trust of patients, their families, AdventHealth, and an entire medical community.”
Fake Nurse Provided Care to Over 4,400 Patients
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued charging Bardisa with:
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Seven counts of practicing a healthcare profession without a license
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Seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information
Fake Nurse was arrested at her home on August 5, still wearing hospital scrubs, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Bardisa was taken into custody and is now being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, with bail set at $70,000.
Officials believe that between June 2024 and January 2025, Bardisa saw and treated a total of 4,486 patients, despite lacking the legal qualifications to do so.
Fake Nurse- In the wake of the arrest, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has created a dedicated email, urging anyone who may have received medical care from Bardisa to get in touch. Authorities are particularly concerned that some patients may have suffered harm or received inappropriate care without realizing it.
Advent Health issued a statement confirming that Bardisa’s contract was terminated immediately upon discovery of the fraud and that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement. The hospital emphasized its commitment to patient safety and said internal policies would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We take matters of staff credentialing seriously,” an AdventHealth spokesperson said. “We are deeply disturbed by this situation and are assisting investigators in every way possible.”
Medical professionals and legal experts say the fake nurse case underscores major vulnerabilities in hospital hiring and verification processes, particularly when it comes to contracted or temporary staff. While Bardisa was not a full-time hospital employee, her access to patient care systems and ability to perform clinical duties raises serious questions.
Bardisa reportedly used the identity and license number of a legitimate nurse who remains employed at a different AdventHealth location. The similarity in names allowed her to bypass verification procedures, aided by forged documentation and a convincing backstory.
“This level of deception is both elaborate and deeply troubling,” Sheriff Staly added. “It’s a reminder that criminals can and do infiltrate trusted spaces like hospitals, and we must remain vigilant.”
News of the fake nurse arrest has sparked outrage and concern across social media and local communities. Many are shocked that someone could pose as a medical professional for such an extended period without being detected.
Healthcare advocates say the incident should serve as a wake-up call for all medical facilities to tighten their credentialing processes, especially for contracted healthcare workers.
The arrest of Autumn Bardisa, the alleged fake nurse who treated thousands of patients, marks a dark moment for patient trust and safety in healthcare institutions. As the investigation unfolds, hospitals nationwide may now face pressure to review and overhaul their hiring practices to ensure only qualified, licensed professionals are allowed to care for patients.
Anyone who believes they may have been treated by Bardisa is encouraged to reach out to the authorities
Source- BBC
