A Florida woman who posed as a nurse and treated more than 4,400 patients without a license has avoided jail time after pleading no contest. Autumn Bardisa, 29, of Palm Coast, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday to charges of unlicensed practice of healthcare and fraudulent use of identification. Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols sentenced her to five years of probation and 50 hours of community service, withholding adjudication as part of the agreement. Bardisa must also write a letter of apology to the nurse whose license number she used and forfeit a nursing license obtained after her arrest. She is barred from working in the medical field during her probation.**
The case stemmed from a seven-month investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, which determined Bardisa treated patients between June 2024 and January 2025 while falsely presenting herself as a licensed nurse at AdventHealth. Investigators found she used the license number of another nurse with the same first name and falsified records to secure her job as an advanced nurse technician. Bardisa was originally charged with seven counts of unlicensed practice of healthcare and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
Authorities described the case as deeply disturbing, highlighting the potential risks to patient safety. The investigation involved state and federal health agencies after hospital officials discovered discrepancies in Bardisa’s credentials. The plea deal ensures she will not face further legal consequences for the fraudulent activity, though the case has raised broader concerns about healthcare credentialing and oversight.