Nurse struck off after sleeping on duty and missing critical medication doses
Nurse struck off after sleeping on duty and missing critical medication doses
Nurse struck off after sleeping on duty and missing critical medication doses
A 25-year-old nurse has been struck off the professional register after repeatedly falling asleep during night shifts at a Guildford aged care facility. Chimzuruoke Okembunachi lost her nursing registration in March 2024 following serious misconduct, including failing to administer critical medication and unauthorised drug distribution.
Ms Okembunachi worked as the sole registered patient care provider supervising assistants and elderly patients at Hardi Aged Care. On multiple occasions in February 2024, she was found asleep while on duty—up to six times in total. Three of these incidents resulted in a patient missing their scheduled dose of morphine.
On one occasion, she instructed an assistant-in-nursing to give a male patient Panadol without proper authorisation, saying, 'It's okay sister, just give it to him.' Her actions were reported by two colleagues, leading to her suspension and eventual resignation.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) investigated and determined her behaviour posed a risk to patient safety. A tribunal panel later ruled that her conduct amounted to professional misconduct, cancelling her registration. The panel also barred her from reapplying for at least nine months.
Ms Okembunachi admitted fault and expressed remorse for her actions. Since her suspension, she has not returned to patient care but continues studying for a medicine degree.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld the decision to remove Ms Okembunachi from the nursing register. Her case highlights the consequences of negligence in healthcare settings. She remains ineligible to practise as a nurse until further review.
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