In early April, a routine traffic stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for failing to signal a turn unexpectedly uncovered a federal fraud network. The driver, later identified as Shannon Nicole Womack, presented expired vehicle registration that didn't match her identification. A subsequent search revealed medical facility access cards, patient charts, and prescriptions not in her name.

Investigators discovered Womack had used around 20 aliases and 7 Social Security numbers to gain employment as a nurse in Pennsylvania and possibly other states. This is not an isolated incident. Officials in numerous states have reported a rise in individuals impersonating nurses or working in healthcare positions requiring certifications without proper credentials.

Some regulatory bodies have adopted the term "fake nurses" to describe these individuals and are maintaining lists to prevent them from working in other states. Arizona's list includes over 130 individuals "who have applied for, been employed as, or represented themselves as nurses without proper licensing" from 2000 to 2024. Georgia lists over 40 individuals, while Texas documented 140 such cases between 2003 and 2024.

Students train at the Delaware County Technical School's nursing department in Pennsylvania in 2020. Photo: AFP

Mensik Kennedy, leader of the American Nurses Association, warns that staff shortages, budget constraints, and lax oversight following the Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated the problem. "These impostors can cause harm, even death, and erode public trust," she said.

One common tactic involves using someone else's credentials to secure employment. Autumn Bardisa was arrested in Florida in August for allegedly using a former classmate's name and license number to apply for a senior nursing position in 2023. Bardisa explained the identical first name and different last name by claiming she had gotten married and changed her surname.

Between June 2024 and January 2025, Bardisa provided medical services to 4,486 patients at a Palm Coast, Florida, hospital. When she was recommended for a promotion, colleagues investigated and found her nursing license had expired. An internal investigation revealed Bardisa had never provided a marriage certificate. The fake nurse was fired on 22/1.

Students train at the Delaware County Technical School's nursing department in Pennsylvania in 2020. Photo: AFP

Students train at the Delaware County Technical School's nursing department in Pennsylvania in 2020. Photo: AFP

Kennedy explains that some impostors with medical experience evade detection longer. Others move between healthcare facilities to avoid scrutiny. Womack, arrested in Pennsylvania in April, wasn't licensed in any state, lacked basic medical knowledge, and had worked shifts at 9 Pennsylvania healthcare facilities since 2023.

Investigators found Womack on Georgia's "fake nurse" list and wanted in New Jersey, Georgia, and Tennessee, with warrants pending in other states. She is accused of impersonating 4 nurses, using their identities for short-term employment.

The situation is further complicated by some states relaxing licensing regulations during the pandemic to hire nurses quickly. "The pressure is immense. We have a nursing shortage, but we must ensure proper procedures are followed," Kennedy said.

In 2019, federal agents received a tip about a Florida nursing school selling fake certifications and transcripts. For 17,000 USD, individuals could obtain the necessary credentials to take the NCLEX nursing licensing exam without attending classes or clinicals.

A medical manikin in a training room at the Delaware County Technical School's nursing department in Pennsylvania in 2020. Photo: AFP

A medical manikin in a training room at the Delaware County Technical School's nursing department in Pennsylvania in 2020. Photo: AFP

This sparked a multi-year investigation, Operation Nightingale, named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Federal authorities discovered three Florida nursing schools had distributed over 7,600 fake diplomas from 2016 to 2021, enabling approximately 2,100 people to pass the NCLEX.

Kennedy advocates for stricter background checks but acknowledges systemic issues hindering enforcement. State nursing boards, responsible for licensing and investigating complaints, often lack funding and staff, leading to delays. By the time an investigation concludes, the individual may have moved and secured employment elsewhere.

Since Operation Nightingale, some healthcare facilities and state nursing boards have implemented new safeguards. However, officials warn vigilance is still crucial. "Even one fake nurse with fraudulent credentials is too many," said Fernando Porras, an official with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

Duc Trung (According to The Washington Post, AP)