A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her nursing registration cancelled in Australia after a tribunal found she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care facility, placing elderly residents at risk.
According to a ruling by the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), Ms Okembunachi’s conduct amounted to professional misconduct, warranting the cancellation of her nursing licence.
Ms Okembunachi, 25, began working at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney, but was suspended barely a month into the role before resigning shortly afterwards. Tribunal proceedings revealed that she was the only registered nurse on duty during night shifts, supervising between three and four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) while caring for about 100 residents.
The tribunal heard that on at least six occasions, Ms Okembunachi failed to carry out her duties because she slept while on shift. On three of those nights, residents reportedly missed prescribed doses of morphine.
Evidence presented showed that during her shift an assistant-in-nursing switched on the light at the nurses’ station in an attempt to wake her. However, she reportedly turned the light off a minute later and returned to sleep.
In another incident, Ms Okembunachi instructed an assistant to administer Panadol to a resident, despite the assistant not being authorised to give medication. She was quoted as saying, “It’s okay, sister, just give it to him.”
Two nurses reported her conduct the following day. She was subsequently sent an email notifying her of her suspension and inviting her to attend a meeting. However, the tribunal heard that she resigned about 20 minutes later and declined to attend the meeting.
Born in Nigeria, Ms Okembunachi later moved to Australia, where she completed a Bachelor of Nursing Science. At the time of the incidents, she was also studying medicine at Western Sydney University while working at Hardi Aged Care.
Addressing the tribunal, she admitted her shortcomings and expressed remorse. “These events caused me significant stress. In hindsight, I should not have applied for, or accepted, the position at Hardi,” she said.
“Working night shifts during the week was putting patients’ safety at risk.”
She added, “When I slept on night shift, I failed in supervising those staff members and the residents.”
While acknowledging her “remorseful and contrite” attitude, the tribunal ruled that deregistration was necessary, noting 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 not returned to nursing but continues her medical studies, supported by her father and a Centrelink student allowance.
