Nigerian Nurse Stripped of Registration in Australia for Sleeping During Shifts
A Nigerian-born nurse has faced severe professional consequences in Australia after a tribunal determined that she repeatedly slept while on duty, placing elderly patients at significant risk. The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) ruled that Chimzuruoke Okembunachi's actions constituted professional misconduct, leading to the cancellation of her nursing registration.
Details of the Professional Misconduct Case
Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, aged 25, commenced her employment at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, located in western Sydney, in February 2024. Within just one month, she was suspended and subsequently resigned following multiple reports of sleeping during her shifts. The tribunal proceedings revealed that between March 13 and 27, 2024, Okembunachi served as the sole registered nurse on night shifts, overseeing three to four assistants-in-nursing and responsible for approximately 100 residents.
Evidence presented during the hearing indicated that she fell asleep during six separate night shifts. One particularly alarming instance involved her sleeping for approximately four hours and 24 minutes. On at least three occasions, residents missed their prescribed doses of morphine due to her negligence.
Specific Incidents and Patient Safety Concerns
In one incident that occurred on March 21–22, an assistant-in-nursing reportedly switched on the light at the nurses' station in an attempt to wake Okembunachi. However, she turned the light off shortly afterward and returned to sleep. On another occasion, she instructed an assistant to administer Panadol to a patient, despite the assistant lacking the necessary authorization to perform such a task.
Two nurses formally reported her conduct on March 27. The following day, she received a suspension notice and an invitation to attend a disciplinary meeting. Okembunachi resigned approximately 20 minutes later, declining to participate in the meeting.
Admission of Failings and Tribunal Decision
During the tribunal hearing, Okembunachi admitted to her professional failings. She explained that the role caused her significant stress and acknowledged that working night shifts compromised patient safety. "When I slept on night shift, I failed in supervising those staff members and the residents," she told the tribunal.
While the tribunal noted her expressions of remorse, it ultimately ruled that deregistration was necessary. The tribunal emphasized that her actions "had the potential to endanger the lives of patients under her care."
Background and Professional Consequences
Born in Nigeria, Okembunachi relocated to Australia in 2018. She qualified as a nurse in 2021 and is currently pursuing medical studies at Western Sydney University. As a result of the tribunal's decision, she is barred from reapplying for nursing registration for at least nine months and has not returned to the nursing profession.
This case highlights the critical importance of professional responsibility and patient safety in healthcare settings, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations such as elderly residents in aged care facilities.
