Identity Theft, Fake License, 4,486 Patients — Inside Florida’s Shocking Fake Nurse Case

Arrest of Alleged Fake Nurse

Autumn Bardisa, a 29-year-old from Palm Coast, Florida, was arrested on August 5, 2025, for allegedly posing as a licensed nurse and treating 4,486 patients at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway without a valid medical license, authorities say.

Charges and Investigation

• Arrest and Charges: Bardisa was taken into custody at her home while wearing scrubs, facing seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information. She is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a $70,000 bond.

• Investigation Process: A seven-month probe by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Florida Department of Health, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed Bardisa used a former classmate’s nursing license number and submitted fake documents to secure her job as an advanced nurse technician in July 2023. The investigation included a thorough review of hospital records and interviews with staff to confirm the extent of her unauthorized medical practice.

• Fraud Discovery: Bardisa claimed she was an "education first" registered nurse, meaning she completed nursing school but hadn’t passed the national licensing exam. She later provided a license number belonging to another nurse named Autumn, alleging a name change due to marriage but failed to produce a marriage certificate. A coworker’s check in January 2025, prompted by her promotion offer, revealed she only held an expired certified nursing assistant license, which was reported to hospital administrators, leading to her termination on January 22, 2025.

Timeline and Hospital Oversight

Bardisa began working at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway in July 2023, providing care to 4,486 patients between June 2024 and January 2025. Despite failing to verify her identity, she was offered a promotion in January 2025, which raised suspicions among colleagues. The hospital’s internal review was triggered by this promotion offer, highlighting gaps in initial hiring verification processes that allowed Bardisa to work undetected for over a year. The hospital terminated her contract after discovering she lacked a valid license. Bodycam footage released by the FCSO captured the moment deputies arrested Bardisa as she stepped out of her car, still dressed in medical scrubs, underscoring the audacity of her deception. The FCSO described the case as “one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud” investigated, with Sheriff Rick Staly noting that Bardisa “potentially put thousands of lives at risk” by violating the trust of patients, their families, and the medical community. Implications for Healthcare

Implications for Healthcare

Investigators found that Bardisa and the nurse whose identity she allegedly stole shared the same first name and attended the same nursing school but were not personally acquainted. The nurse whose license was used was employed at a different AdventHealth facility, and the investigation confirmed Bardisa’s actions were deliberate, using the stolen credentials to deceive hospital officials. This case has raised concerns about the need for stricter credential verification protocols in healthcare settings to prevent such breaches. The FCSO Fugitive Unit arrested Bardisa at her residence following an arrest warrant. The Florida Department of Health is now reviewing potential impacts on patients treated by Bardisa, urging healthcare providers to strengthen licensing checks to safeguard patient safety. Authorities urge potential victims to contact the FCSO at fakenursecase@flaglersheriff.com.

Sheriff’s Statement on Accountability

Sheriff also said “Thanks to the vigilance of a coworker and the collaboration between our detectives, State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s Office, AdventHealth, and federal partners, we’ve ensured accountability for this breach of public trust.”

(Rh/Eth/MKB/MSM/SE)