PALM COAST, FL — A 29-year-old Florida woman, Autumn Bardisa, has been arrested after allegedly impersonating a licensed nurse and treating over 4,400 patients without ever having a valid nursing license. Bardisa, who was working at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway since July 2023, was caught when a suspicious co-worker discovered discrepancies in her credentials, leading to a seven-month investigation by state and federal agencies.

Authorities say Bardisa was apprehended at her Palm Coast home, wearing her nurse uniform, despite the fact that she had never been licensed to treat any patient. The situation has raised significant concerns about patient safety and the potential ramifications of a non-licensed individual operating in a healthcare setting.

Impersonation and Fraudulent Claims

According to police reports, Autumn Bardisa claimed that she had passed the national nursing exam and provided the nurse license number of another nurse, who coincidentally shared the same first name—Autumn. Bardisa reportedly explained discrepancies in her name by citing a marriage certificate, but when asked to provide this document, she failed to do so.

Despite these red flags, Bardisa was promoted in January 2025 to a higher position within the hospital. It was during this time that a suspicious co-worker decided to conduct a routine license check, which revealed that Bardisa’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license had expired long ago, sparking further investigation into her credentials.

Hospital’s Role and Discovery

Once the hospital confirmed that Bardisa’s CNA license was no longer valid, they immediately contacted the police, prompting an investigation by both state and federal authorities. Law enforcement soon uncovered that Bardisa had been using the license information of another nurse who shared the same first name, Autumn, and had attended the same nursing school. However, the two women did not know each other personally, making Bardisa’s actions even more brazen.

The investigation revealed that Bardisa had been treating patients and providing medical care in a healthcare facility for over seven months, all while posing as a licensed professional. The authorities have emphasized the potential harm that could have come to patients who were treated by someone without the proper qualifications and licenses to practice in healthcare.

Charges and Legal Consequences

As a result of her actions, Autumn Bardisa now faces multiple serious charges, including:

• 7 counts of working in healthcare without a license

• 7 counts of fraud and identity theft

The severity of the charges reflects the risks involved in impersonating a healthcare professional, as well as the fraud that allowed Bardisa to carry out her role at the hospital for such a long period without detection.

Bardisa is being held at the Flagler County Jail on a $70,000 bond. If convicted, she could face significant jail time and additional legal consequences, given the gravity of the charges and the potential harm caused by her impersonation.

Implications for the Healthcare Community

This case highlights the vulnerabilities that exist within the healthcare system, especially in terms of verifying the credentials of those who treat patients. Bardisa’s ability to gain employment and perform medical tasks without proper licensing underscores the need for more rigorous checks and balances to ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed to care for patients.

AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway has expressed regret over the situation, assuring the public that steps will be taken to strengthen the hospital’s hiring and verification processes moving forward. The hospital has also indicated that it is fully cooperating with authorities and will work to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Public Response and Community Impact

The arrest of Bardisa has sent shockwaves through the Palm Coast community, as residents and healthcare professionals grapple with the fact that such an egregious case of fraud and patient endangerment occurred at a reputable medical facility.

Local community members have expressed their concerns about the impact of the case on patient trust, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and accountability within healthcare institutions. Many are calling for more stringent measures to protect patients from the risks of receiving treatment from unlicensed individuals.

Ongoing Investigation and Additional Developments

The investigation into Autumn Bardisa’s actions is ongoing, with law enforcement officials continuing to look into how she was able to secure employment in the first place and whether anyone else at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway was complicit or negligent in her fraudulent activities.

Investigators are also working to determine whether any patients were harmed or mistreated while under Bardisa’s care. If any evidence of patient harm is uncovered, additional charges could be brought against her, adding further complexity to the case.

Conclusion and Future Legal Proceedings

The arrest of Autumn Bardisa serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the healthcare system and the importance of ensuring that all individuals who treat patients are properly licensed and qualified. The seven-month-long investigation has raised concerns about the thoroughness of the credential verification process at medical facilities, and authorities are working to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.

As Bardisa faces serious criminal charges, the case will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the healthcare industry and its ability to safeguard against individuals seeking to exploit the system for personal gain. The outcome of her trial will likely be closely followed by those within the legal and healthcare communities, as it could set a precedent for handling future cases of healthcare fraud and impersonation.

The Palm Coast community, as well as AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, will continue to monitor the developments of this case, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.