In a disturbing case from Florida, authorities have arrested 29-year-old Autumn Bardisa for impersonating a nurse and providing medical care without the necessary credentials. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Bardisa was apprehended at her home while dressed in medical scrubs. Between June 2024 and January 2025, she allegedly posed as a licensed nurse, administering care to over 4,400 patients. Investigations confirmed that she had never actually held a valid nursing license during this period. Bardisa’s employment at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway began in July 2023 but ended in January 2025 due to concerns raised internally about her qualifications.
Bardisa’s fraudulent activities stem from her application for a nursing position under false pretenses. Initially applying as an “education first” registered nurse—a status for nursing graduates who have not yet passed the national licensing exam—she falsely claimed to have passed the exam later. To support her claims, she provided the license number of another nurse who shared her first name but differed in last name. She justified the discrepancy by stating she had recently married. However, when asked for her marriage certificate, Bardisa failed to provide one, raising suspicions among hospital staff.
In January 2025, despite the ongoing doubts surrounding her credentials, Bardisa was offered a promotion. This prompted a concerned coworker to verify her license status, which revealed that Bardisa only held an expired certified nursing assistant license. This alarming discovery was reported to hospital administrators, leading to a deeper investigation into Bardisa’s background. The investigation uncovered that she had never submitted legitimate documentation proving her identity or qualifications, ultimately resulting in the termination of her employment and a referral to law enforcement.
The ongoing case was fueled by a seven-month investigation by both state and federal health agencies. Their inquiries involved interviews with hospital personnel and the legitimate nurse whose identity Bardisa had usurped. Although both women had attended the same nursing school, they did not personally know each other. As a result of the investigation, Bardisa faces several charges, including seven felony counts of practicing medicine without a license and seven counts of identity fraud. She is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a $70,000 bond.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly described Bardisa’s actions as one of the most alarming instances of medical fraud his office has encountered, emphasizing the severe risks posed to patients and the community. He highlighted the collaborative effort of investigators from various agencies, including the State Attorney’s Office and AdventHealth, in bringing Bardisa to justice for her reckless behavior that endangered countless lives and eroded the trust within the medical community.
In light of these events, officials are urging anyone who may have been affected by Bardisa’s fraudulent activities to reach out for assistance through designated contact channels. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with unchecked impersonation in healthcare and the imperative for stringent verification processes to safeguard patients. As investigations continue, Bardisa will face legal repercussions for her deceptive and dangerous actions.
