Nigerian nurse struck off in Australia after tribunal finds she repeatedly slept on night shifts, risking patient safety at Sydney aged care facility

A Nigerian-born nurse has been struck off in Australia after a tribunal found she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care home in Sydney, Daily Mail reports.

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The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, 25, engaged in professional misconduct while working at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney.

According to the tribunal, Okembunachi was the sole registered nurse on several night shifts in March 2024, responsible for around 100 residents alongside care assistants. On six occasions, she was found asleep while on duty.

The panel highlighted that on three nights, residents missed doses of prescribed morphine due to her sleeping. On another occasion, an assistant had to switch on a light to wake her, only for her to turn it off and return to sleep.

The tribunal also heard that Okembunachi asked an assistant-in-nursing to administer medication despite the worker not being authorised. When challenged, she allegedly replied: “It’s okay sister, just give it to him.”

Colleagues raised concerns on March 27, prompting her suspension. She resigned shortly afterwards and declined to attend a disciplinary meeting.

While acknowledging her remorse, the tribunal concluded that her conduct had the potential to endanger patients’ lives, ruling that deregistration was the only appropriate sanction.

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The case underscores the critical importance of vigilance and professional conduct in aged care, particularly during night shifts when patients rely heavily on registered nurses for timely care and medication.