A nurse originally from Nigeria, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her registration revoked in Australia after a tribunal determined that she consistently slept while on duty during night shifts at a senior care facility in Sydney.
The 25-year-old nurse had her license annulled by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which concluded that her behavior constituted professional misconduct and posed a significant risk to patient safety. Okembunachi was employed at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford starting February 2024 but was suspended within a month and subsequently resigned.
The tribunal reported that she worked several night shifts between March 13 and March 27, 2024, as the sole registered nurse supervising up to four assistants-in-nursing and approximately 100 elderly residents. On six separate occasions, she allegedly fell asleep while on duty, failing to adequately oversee both staff and residents. On three of those nights, patients did not receive their prescribed morphine doses.
Evidence also indicated that she directed an assistant-in-nursing to administer medication, despite the assistant lacking the authorization to do so. Concerns regarding her conduct were raised by colleagues on March 27, which resulted in her suspension the following day.
During the hearing, Okembunachi acknowledged her actions and expressed regret, explaining that she was experiencing considerable stress due to health issues, academic demands, and family financial responsibilities. She recognized that taking on night shifts while dealing with these challenges jeopardized patient safety.
Although the tribunal acknowledged her honesty and remorse, it determined that deregistration was the only suitable penalty, emphasizing that her actions could have endangered lives. She will not be able to request a review of the decision for a minimum of nine months.
