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A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her nursing licence cancelled in Australia after repeatedly sleeping while on duty at an aged care facility, a tribunal has ruled.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on January 20 found that Ms Okembunachi’s conduct during night shifts in March 2024 amounted to professional misconduct, placing vulnerable elderly residents at serious risk.
Repeated Sleeping on Duty
Ms Okembunachi, 25, began working at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney, in February 2024. Less than a month later, she was suspended and subsequently resigned from her position.
Tribunal proceedings revealed that between March 13 and March 27, she was the sole registered nurse on night shifts, overseeing three to four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) and approximately 100 residents.
On six separate nights, she reportedly failed to perform her duties because she fell asleep during her shift. On three occasions, patients missed their prescribed doses of morphine.
Serious Breaches of Care
Evidence presented to the tribunal showed that during a shift on March 21–22, an assistant-in-nursing turned on the nurses’ station light in an attempt to wake her. She reportedly turned the light off moments later and returned to sleep.
On March 15, Ms Okembunachi instructed an AIN—who was not authorised to administer medication—to give Panadol to a patient, telling the assistant, “It’s okay, sister, just give it to him.”
Her conduct was formally reported by two nurses on March 27. The following day, she received an email informing her of her suspension and inviting her to a meeting. However, she resigned 20 minutes later and declined to attend the meeting.
Background and Tribunal Ruling
Born in Nigeria, Ms Okembunachi moved to Australia in 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021 and was studying medicine at Western Sydney University while working at the aged care facility.
In her testimony, she admitted fault, stating:
“These events caused me significant stress. In hindsight, I should not have applied for or accepted the position at Hardi. Working night shifts during the week was putting patients’ safety at risk.”
She further acknowledged:
“When I slept on night shift, I failed in supervising those staff members and the residents.”
While the tribunal noted 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.”
What Happens Next
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.
