An Australian tribunal has revoked the nursing licence of a Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, after finding that she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care facility, placing elderly residents at risk.
The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled on January 20 that Okembunachi’s conduct amounted to professional misconduct, leading to the cancellation of her nursing registration.
According to findings presented before the tribunal, the 25-year-old nurse was employed at Hardi Aged Care Facility in Guildford, western Sydney, where she began work in February 2024. She was suspended barely a month later and subsequently resigned from her position.
Tribunal records showed that between March 13 and March 27, 2024, Okembunachi worked several night shifts as the only registered nurse, overseeing up to four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) and approximately 100 elderly residents.
On at least six occasions, she reportedly fell asleep while on duty, resulting in lapses in patient care. In three instances, residents failed to receive prescribed doses of morphine.
One assistant testified that during a shift on March 21–22, efforts were made to wake Okembunachi by switching on the nurses’ station light.
“She turned the light off shortly after and went back to sleep,” the tribunal heard.
In another incident, the nurse was found to have instructed an assistant-in-nursing—who was not authorised to administer medication—to give a patient Panadol.
“It’s okay, sister, just give it to him,” she reportedly said.
Following reports filed by two colleagues on March 27, Okembunachi received an email the next day informing her of her suspension and inviting her to a disciplinary meeting.
She resigned about 20 minutes later, declining to attend the meeting.
During the proceedings, Okembunachi acknowledged her failure and expressed remorse.
“These events caused me significant stress. In hindsight, I should not have applied for or accepted the role,” she told the tribunal.
“When I slept during night shifts, I failed in my duty to supervise staff and safeguard residents.”
While noting her remorseful disposition, the tribunal ruled that deregistration was necessary in the interest of public safety.
“Her conduct had the potential to seriously endanger the lives of patients under her care,” the tribunal stated.
Born in Nigeria, Okembunachi relocated to Australia in 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021. She is currently studying medicine at Western Sydney University.
She is barred from reapplying for nursing registration for at least nine months and has not returned to nursing practice.
She continues her medical studies with financial support from her family and a Centrelink student allowance.
