A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has been stripped of her nursing registration in Australia after a tribunal found that she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care facility, thereby placing elderly residents at serious risk.
According to reports by the Daily Mail, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal, on January 20, ruled that Ms Okembunachi’s conduct in March 2024 amounted to professional misconduct, ordering the cancellation of her nursing licence.
Ms Okembunachi, 25, had commenced employment at Hardi Aged Care, Guildford, in western Sydney, in February 2024. She was suspended barely a month later and subsequently tendered her resignation.
Tribunal proceedings revealed that between March 13 and March 27, she was the only registered nurse on duty during night shifts, supervising three to four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) while responsible for the care of about 100 residents.
Evidence showed that on six separate nights, Ms Okembunachi failed to carry out her duties after falling asleep on duty. On three occasions, residents reportedly missed prescribed doses of morphine.
On March 21–22, an AIN reportedly switched on the light at the nurses’ station in an attempt to wake her, but she allegedly turned it off shortly afterwards and went back to sleep.
The tribunal also heard that on March 15, she instructed an AIN to administer Panadol to a resident, despite the assistant not being authorised to do so, reportedly saying, “It’s okay, sister, just give it to him.”
Two nurses later reported her conduct on March 27. The following day, she received an email notifying her of her suspension and inviting her to a meeting. However, she resigned about 20 minutes later and declined to attend the meeting.
Ms Okembunachi, who was born in Nigeria, migrated to Australia in 2018. She obtained a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021 and was studying medicine at Western Sydney University while working at the aged care facility.
In her submission to the tribunal, she said the incidents caused her “significant stress,” admitting that she should not have accepted the role. “Working night shifts during the week was putting patients’ safety at risk,” she said, adding that sleeping on duty meant she failed in her responsibility to supervise staff and residents.
While the tribunal acknowledged her “remorseful and contrite” attitude, it ruled that deregistration was necessary, stating that her actions “had the potential to endanger the lives of patients under her care.”
Ms Okembunachi is barred from applying for a review of the decision for at least nine months. She has since stepped away from nursing but continues her medical studies, supported by her father and a Centrelink Student Allowance.