Medical professionals expressed shock Friday as a Norwalk woman stands accused of working as a fraudulent nurse since at least October 2007.

State authorities have charged 56-year-old Betty Lichtenstein Thursday with reckless endangerment and criminal impersonation. Lichtenstein faces up to five years if convicted. While the local doctor she worked for declined to comment, other medical professionals say the woman was probably responsible for taking vital signs, giving injections and performing other tests.

Lichtenstein's boss, Dr. Gerald Weiss, thought her credentials were real, even down to a nurse of the year honor awarded to her in 2008. Authorities say Lichtenstein organized the event and award herself.

This story was written with Associated Press wire reports.