Skaggs Regional Medical Center says it discovered during a routine check last spring that Aydt, 38, didn’t pass a state license test. Aydt worked as a registered nurse while working at Skaggs from 2007 until last June, when she was fired.

A spokeswoman for Skaggs says the hospital hired her after she graduated from nursing school, with the expectation that she would pass the state test within 90 days. That’s a common practice for hospitals and other healthcare providers.

Besides being charged with unlawful practice of nursing, Aydt is also charged with stealing the money that Skaggs Hospital paid her for working. Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell filed the charges on Oct. 2.

Skaggs says it believes its patients were not in any danger.

In an interview on Tuesday, Aydt said she didn’t think she was doing anything wrong. She said she passed a state test but her attorney, who was at her side, wouldn’t let her say whether she passed the test within 90 days of being hired. A search of the State Board of Nursing's online records on Tuesday failed to turn up a license for Aydt as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

If she’s convicted, Aydt could face a prison sentence between five and 15 years for theft and a county jail sentence of up to one year for unlawful practice of nursing, which also carries a possible fine of up to $1,000. In lieu of prison, a judge could also order her to make restitution to Skaggs.
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Edited news release from Skaggs on Monday:

BRANSON, Mo. -- Skaggs Regional Medical Center is cooperating with the Taney County prosecuting attorney’s office in its investigation of former employee Lori Aydt, accused of falsely identifying herself as a registered nurse.

During an internal audit and bi-annual license renewal process in May 2009, it was discovered Aydt was missing required proof of licensure through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. When she was unable to produce proof of licensure she was placed on administrative leave without pay. When it was discovered she was not registered with the Missouri State Board of Nursing, she was terminated and Skaggs filed a formal complaint with the Branson Police Department.

Aydt started her career at Skaggs as a graduate nurse in May 2007. In accordance with state law, she had 90 days to become licensed through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Through Skaggs’ continuing quality efforts our nurses are provided with ongoing educational opportunities paid for by Skaggs Regional Medical Center. At no time were patients harmed in any way nor were any complaints filed regarding her care during her employment.

Skaggs Regional Medical Center considers quality patient care our top priority. Any nurse employed with SRMC is required to comply with state laws, including being board certified through the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

The actions of the former employee are unacceptable. While it was and still is Skaggs’ policy to renew nursing licenses every two years, policies have been reinforced within our organization to ensure any individual who cannot provide prompt proof of license or certification is not to be employed with Skaggs Regional Medical Center. Our manual renewal process was replaced in May 2009 with a computerized system called Lawson which alerts us of any employee certification that is coming due.