Fake It 'Til You Break It - Impersonating Nurses Part 2

Fake It 'Til You Break It - Impersonating Nurses Part 2

Part 2 of Fake It ’Til You Break It exposes the shocking reality of fake nurses, healthcare fraud, stolen nursing licenses, and the massive Operation Nightingale scandal. From serial nurse impostors and credential fraud to fake diplomas and patient safety risks, the Terrible Nurses crew dives into real cases that reveal how unqualified people slipped into healthcare systems — and asks the unsettling question: how many fake nurses are still out there? Brought to you by our alleged sponsor: Vaxxer Autumn Bardisa-  Woman who posed as nurse and treated 4,000+ patients at Florida hospital takes plea deal https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/woman-who-posed-as-nurse-and-treated-4000-patients-at-florida-hospital-takes-plea-deal/3792929/ [https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/woman-who-posed-as-nurse-and-treated-4000-patients-at-florida-hospital-takes-plea-deal/3792929/] Fake Nurse Autumn Bardisa Avoids Prison—Sentenced to 5 Years Probation Instead https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-autumn-bardisa/ [https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-autumn-bardisa/] Nurse imposter arrested after treating over 4,000 patients without a license: Sheriff https://abcnews.com/US/nurse-imposter-arrested-after-treating-4000-patients-license/story?id=124419736 [https://abcnews.com/US/nurse-imposter-arrested-after-treating-4000-patients-license/story?id=124419736] Palm Coast woman arrested for posing as registered nurse: FCSO https://www.tampabay28.com/news/state/palm-coast-woman-arrested-for-posing-as-registered-nurse-fcso [https://www.tampabay28.com/news/state/palm-coast-woman-arrested-for-posing-as-registered-nurse-fcso] Leticia Galarzo-  United States of America vs Leticia Gallarzo https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-08/gallarzo_complaint.pdf [https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-08/gallarzo_complaint.pdf]  Bogus Nurse Who Used Stolen IDs to Land Health Care Jobs Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Prison https://people.com/bogus-nurse-sentenced-over-6-years-stolen-identity-scheme-11898947 [https://people.com/bogus-nurse-sentenced-over-6-years-stolen-identity-scheme-11898947] Fake Nurse Gets 75 Months in Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud https://nurse.org/articles/michigan-impersonates-nurse-third-time/ [https://nurse.org/articles/michigan-impersonates-nurse-third-time/]  Texas Board Of Nursing - https://www.bon.texas.gov/discipline_and_complaints_imposter_2015alerts.asp.html [https://www.bon.texas.gov/discipline_and_complaints_imposter_2015alerts.asp.html] Nurse Impostor with Fake Diplomas Skips Out On Sentencing https://www.woodtv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/nurse-imposter-with-fake-diplomas-skips-sentencing-2/?ipid=promo-link-block1 [https://www.woodtv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/nurse-imposter-with-fake-diplomas-skips-sentencing-2/?ipid=promo-link-block1] Woman Who Posed as Licensed Registered Nurse Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2026_0127_Gallarzo_Sentencing_PR [https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2026_0127_Gallarzo_Sentencing_PR] Woman, 42, pleads guilty in Texas fake registered nurse case https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Woman-42-pleads-guilty-in-Texas-fake-registered-nurse-case-433008633.html [https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Woman-42-pleads-guilty-in-Texas-fake-registered-nurse-case-433008633.html] UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-miwd-1_23-cr-00118/pdf/USCOURTS-miwd-1_23-cr-00118-0.pdf [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-miwd-1_23-cr-00118/pdf/USCOURTS-miwd-1_23-cr-00118-0.pdf] Operation Nightengale -  Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fraud-charges-filed-against-12-defendants-phase-ii-operation-nightingale [https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fraud-charges-filed-against-12-defendants-phase-ii-operation-nightingale] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General https://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/media-materials/nightingale/ [https://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/media-materials/nightingale/] United States Attorney’s office Southern District of Florida https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fraud-charges-filed-against-12-defendants-phase-ii-operation-nightingale [https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fraud-charges-filed-against-12-defendants-phase-ii-operation-nightingale]  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/qa/operationNightingale.jsp [https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/qa/operationNightingale.jsp] Operation Nightingale and Protecting Your Organization from Potential Licensure Fraud https://www.providertrust.com/blog/operation-nightingale-and-protecting-your-organization-from-potential-licensure-fraud/ [https://www.providertrust.com/blog/operation-nightingale-and-protecting-your-organization-from-potential-licensure-fraud/] ‘Operation Nightingale’: Feds charge 25 in sweeping nurse diploma scheme https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/legal-regulatory-issues/operation-nightingale-feds-charge-25-in-sweeping-nurse-diploma-scheme/ [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/legal-regulatory-issues/operation-nightingale-feds-charge-25-in-sweeping-nurse-diploma-scheme/] Officials Tell 18 Nurses: Prove Your Credentials Aren’t Fake Or Face Discipline https://www.asrn.org/journal-nursing/2958-officials-tell-18-nurses-prove-your-credentials-aren%E2%80%99t-fake-or-face-discipline.html#:~:text=Of%20the%207%2C600%20students%20who,currently%20hold%20temporary%20licensing%20permits. [https://www.asrn.org/journal-nursing/2958-officials-tell-18-nurses-prove-your-credentials-aren%E2%80%99t-fake-or-face-discipline.html#:~:text=Of%20the%207%2C600%20students%20who,currently%20hold%20temporary%20licensing%20permits] Florida operator accused of selling fake degree to nurse implicated in patient death https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article312133129.html [https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article312133129.html]

Fake It 'Til You Break It - Impersonating Nurses Part 1

Would you know if the person treating you was never actually a nurse? In Part 1 of Fake It ‘til You Break It, the hosts of Nurses Are Terrible People Too uncover real cases of alleged fake nurses who slipped into hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, and urgent cares using stolen identities, forged credentials, and pure audacity. One allegedly stole narcotics across multiple states. Another is accused of assaulting patients while pretending to be a nurse. What starts out sounding absurd quickly turns into something far more disturbing: proof that some of these imposters got dangerously close to real patients before anyone realized they were fake.   Brought to you by our alleged sponsor - Operative Otters   Check your nursing license on https://www.nursys.com/ [https://www.nursys.com/] and sign up for e-notify.    Shannon Womack -  ABC NEWS- Pennsylvania nurse used 20 aliases, 7 Social Security numbers to illegally treat patients: Police https://abcnews.com/US/fake-nurse-20-aliases-7-social-security-numbers/story?id=123956914 [https://abcnews.com/US/fake-nurse-20-aliases-7-social-security-numbers/story?id=123956914]   State Police Seeking Help from Health Care Providers with Ongoing Investigation into Fraudulent Nursing Practices https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/newsroom/psp-seeking-help-with-ongoing-investigation-into-fraudulent-nurs [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/newsroom/psp-seeking-help-with-ongoing-investigation-into-fraudulent-nurs]   Woman charged with posing as nurse arrested in Pennsylvania, suspected in Tennessee https://fox17.com/news/local/fake-nurse-wanted-for-pill-thefts-in-pennsylvania-may-have-committed-crimes-in-tennessee [https://fox17.com/news/local/fake-nurse-wanted-for-pill-thefts-in-pennsylvania-may-have-committed-crimes-in-tennessee]   ‘Impostor nurse’ used 20 aliases and worked at medical facilities in severalstates, police say https://www.wfsb.com/2025/07/24/impostor-nurse-used-20-aliases-worked-medical-facilities-several-states-police-say/ [https://www.wfsb.com/2025/07/24/impostor-nurse-used-20-aliases-worked-medical-facilities-several-states-police-say/]   Ramon Garcia   Man charged with playing nurse, performing exams on more than a dozen unsuspecting women https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/man-charged-ramon-garcia-assault-harass-nurse-perform-photo-vagina-blood-medical-exams-victims-unsuspecting-women-urgent-care-facility-pennsylvania-abington-jenkintown-montgomery-county-district-attorney [https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/man-charged-ramon-garcia-assault-harass-nurse-perform-photo-vagina-blood-medical-exams-victims-unsuspecting-women-urgent-care-facility-pennsylvania-abington-jenkintown-montgomery-county-district-attorney]   Fake Nurse Sentenced for Sexual Assaults at Pennsylvania Urgent Care https://www.anzalonelaw.com/fake-nurse-sentenced-for-sexual-assaults-at-pennsylvania-urgent-care/ [https://www.anzalonelaw.com/fake-nurse-sentenced-for-sexual-assaults-at-pennsylvania-urgent-care/]   Fake Nurse Gets 5-10 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting Multiple Patients https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-sexually-assault-patients/ [https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-sexually-assault-patients/]   Man charged with playing nurse, performing exams on more than a dozen unsuspecting women https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/man-charged-ramon-garcia-assault-harass-nurse-perform-photo-vagina-blood-medical-exams-victims-unsuspecting-women-urgent-care-facility-pennsylvania-abington-jenkintown-montgomery-county-district-attorney [https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/man-charged-ramon-garcia-assault-harass-nurse-perform-photo-vagina-blood-medical-exams-victims-unsuspecting-women-urgent-care-facility-pennsylvania-abington-jenkintown-montgomery-county-district-attorney]   Amanda LeAnn Porter   Fake Nurse Hired at Two CA Hospitals—Police Say She Had No License or Credentials https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-arrested-california/ [https://nurse.org/news/fake-nurse-arrested-california/]   Woman pretended to be a nurse at various SoCal hospitals, oversaw dozens of patients, police say https://abc7.com/post/amanda-leeann-porter-woman-accused-impersonating-registered-nurse-socal-hospitals/15547627/ [https://abc7.com/post/amanda-leeann-porter-woman-accused-impersonating-registered-nurse-socal-hospitals/15547627/]   Virginia Woman on Probation for Fraud Impersonated Nurse at Multiple Hospitals, Oversaw Dozens of Patients: Police Investigators believe she has been fraudulently employed at multiple hospitals using a variety of fake identities. https://www.latintimes.com/virginia-nurse-fraud-probation-hospitals-identity-amanda-leeann-porter-566087 [https://www.latintimes.com/virginia-nurse-fraud-probation-hospitals-identity-amanda-leeann-porter-566087]   Restore your faith in nursing with Diane Carlson Evans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Carlson_Evans [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Carlson_Evans]

Bleach Puh-leeze! - Kimberly Clark Saenz

Was she calculated… or just unbelievably bold (and bad at crime)?  We’re talking about Kimberly Saenz, a dialysis nurse accused of injecting bleach into patients’ bloodstreams. Yes. Bleach. We break down how dialysis works, how this could even happen, and why it took so long for anyone to stop it — all while asking the question: was she shockingly bold… or just shockingly dumb? Grab your snacks. Maybe not anything potassium-rich.   Brought to you by our alleged sponsor: Horse Nurse   Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Dialysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_nqzVfxFQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_nqzVfxFQ] https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/nurse-kimberly-saenz-killed-patients-by-injecting-bleach [https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/nurse-kimberly-saenz-killed-patients-by-injecting-bleach]   Angel of death: Nurse Convicted of Injecting Bleach - Oxygen https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/nurse-kimberly-saenz-killed-patients-by-injecting-bleach [https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/nurse-kimberly-saenz-killed-patients-by-injecting-bleach]   CBS News: Jury Finds Texas Nurse Guilty In Bleach Deaths https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-jury-finds-former-nurse-guilty-in-bleach-deaths/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-jury-finds-former-nurse-guilty-in-bleach-deaths/] Kimberly Clark Saenz v. The State of Texas, Appeal from 217th District Court of Angelina County (opinion by Chief Justice Stone) https://law.justia.com/ [https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/fourth-court-of-appeals/2014/04-12-00238-cr.html]“Angel of Death” Nurse Convicted of Killing Patients by Injecting Bleach: “Can’t Imagine the Pain" | Oxygen [https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/nurse-kimberly-saenz-killed-patients-by-injecting-bleach]cases/texas/fourth-court-of-appeals/2014/04-12-00238-cr.html [https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/fourth-court-of-appeals/2014/04-12-00238-cr.html]   Wikipedia: Kimberly Clark Saenz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberly_Clark_Saenz [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberly_Clark_Saenz]   KTRE-9:The DaVita Lufkin Dialysis Shutdown May Be The Result Of A Criminal Act https://www.ktre.com/story/8337178/the-davita-lufkin-dialysis-shutdown-may-be-the-result-of-a-criminal-act/ [https://www.ktre.com/story/8337178/the-davita-lufkin-dialysis-shutdown-may-be-the-result-of-a-criminal-act/]

Starting Season 2 Off On The Wrong Foot

In this episode, we dive into the disturbing true story of Wisconsin nurse Mary K. Brown, accused of amputating a hospice patient’s frostbitten foot with bandage scissors—without a physician’s order or consent. We break down the medical realities of necrosis, scope-of-practice violations, reporting failures, and the legal aftermath that saw serious felony charges reduced to a misdemeanor plea. It’s a jaw-dropping case of alleged nurse misconduct, healthcare ethics, and system breakdowns—told with the clinical insight and dark humor only real nurses can deliver. Listener discretion advised. Brought to you by our alleged sponsor: Fibermectin To restore your faith in nurses: Honoring Alex Pretti   1. People.com — Plea outcome https://people.com/mary-k-brown-wisconsin-nurse-no-contest-amputating-man-foot-without-his-permission-11775310/ [https://people.com/mary-k-brown-wisconsin-nurse-no-contest-amputating-man-foot-without-his-permission-11775310/] 2. Pierce County Journal — Local sentencing coverage https://www.piercecountyjournal.news/stories/nurse-accused-of-cutting-off-foot-gets-fine-no-jail-time,143971 [https://www.piercecountyjournal.news/stories/nurse-accused-of-cutting-off-foot-gets-fine-no-jail-time,143971] 3. NewsChannel10 / Gray News — Initial charges https://www.newschannel10.com/2022/12/07/nurse-accused-amputating-patients-foot-without-permission-barred-being-caregiver/ [https://www.newschannel10.com/2022/12/07/nurse-accused-amputating-patients-foot-without-permission-barred-being-caregiver/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 4. KSTP — Plea coverage https://kstp.com/kstp-news/wisconsin-news/wisconsin-nurse-accused-of-amputating-a-patients-foot-pleads-no-contest/ [https://kstp.com/kstp-news/wisconsin-news/wisconsin-nurse-accused-of-amputating-a-patients-foot-pleads-no-contest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 5. KAIT8 — Early charge reporting https://www.kait8.com/2022/11/07/nurse-accused-removing-patients-foot-without-permission/ [https://www.kait8.com/2022/11/07/nurse-accused-removing-patients-foot-without-permission/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 6. WECT — Not-guilty plea stage https://www.wect.com/2023/02/17/nurse-accused-cutting-off-dying-patients-foot-without-permission-pleads-not-guilty/ [https://www.wect.com/2023/02/17/nurse-accused-cutting-off-dying-patients-foot-without-permission-pleads-not-guilty/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 7. Criminal Complaint (Pierce County Court Filing PDF) https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/wis-brown-complaint-pierce-county.pdf [https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/wis-brown-complaint-pierce-county.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 8. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services website. https://online.drl.wi.gov/decisions/2023/ORDER0008381-00019839.pdf [https://online.drl.wi.gov/decisions/2023/ORDER0008381-00019839.pdf]

What's Happening With Season 2?

What's the plan for season 2 and beyond of Nurses Are Terrible People Too? Make sure to subscribe so that episodes appear when our shifts line up!