A Nigerian-born nurse in Australia has lost her licence after a tribunal found she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care home, leading to missed medication and risks to patient safety.
In one instance, she allegedly instructed an unauthorised assistant to administer Panadol to a patient.
A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her nursing licence revoked in Australia after a tribunal found she repeatedly fell asleep during night shifts at an aged care facility, putting elderly residents at risk.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled on January 20 that her actions in March 2024 amounted to professional misconduct, leading to the cancellation of her registration.
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Okembunachi, 25, had been the only registered nurse on duty during several night shifts at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney, overseeing about 100 residents with the support of assistants-in-nursing.
The tribunal heard that on six nights she slept on duty, resulting in missed medication, including morphine on three occasions. In one instance, she allegedly instructed an unauthorised assistant to administer Panadol to a patient.
Although the tribunal acknowledged her remorse, it ruled that deregistration was necessary, stating her conduct had the potential to endanger patients’ lives. She is barred from applying for a review for at least nine months.
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