URGENT UPDATE: A Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly posing as a nurse and treating over 4,486 patients using a stolen nursing license. Autumn Bardisa, 29, from Palm Coast, faces multiple charges, including seven counts of practicing without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities confirmed that Bardisa worked at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway Hospital for nearly two years, during which time she provided medical services despite lacking a valid nursing license. This alarming situation came to light after a colleague discovered discrepancies in her credentials following a promotion in early 2024.
The investigation revealed that Bardisa, hired on July 3, 2023, fraudulently claimed to be an “education first” registered nurse, suggesting she had completed her education but not passed the licensing exam. During the hiring process, she provided a license number belonging to another nurse with the same first name, “Autumn,” but a different last name. She attempted to explain the mismatch by claiming she had recently married, but when asked for her marriage license, she failed to provide one.
In January, after being promoted, a fellow employee checked her licensing status and discovered she only had an expired certified nursing assistant license. This prompted an internal investigation at AdventHealth, which found that Bardisa had not confirmed her identity and subsequently terminated her on January 22, 2024. The hospital then contacted law enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation.
The probe, lasting around seven months, involved officials from the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alongside interviews with the nurse whose identity was stolen. The victim, who attended the same college as Bardisa, stated they did not know each other personally.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bardisa on September 12, 2024, and she was apprehended at her home while wearing blue scrubs.
“This woman potentially put thousands of lives at risk by pretending to be someone she was not,”
said Sheriff Rick Staly, describing the case as one of the most disturbing instances of medical fraud he has encountered.
As of Thursday morning, Bardisa remains in custody with a bond set at $70,000. It is currently unclear if she has retained legal representation. Her arraignment is scheduled for September 2, 2024.
This case raises critical questions about hospital oversight and patient safety, as AdventHealth acknowledged failures in verifying Bardisa’s credentials during the hiring process. The hospital has stated it does not comment on ongoing legal matters.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
