One Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, don lose her nursing licence for Australia after tribunal find say she dey sleep several times while on night duty for one aged care facility for Sydney.

 

The 25-year-old nurse registration cancel by New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal, wey rule say her actions amount to serious professional misconduct and pose big risk to patient safety.

 

Okembunachi start work for Hardi Aged Care for Guildford around February 2024, but within one month of resuming duty, dem suspend am, and she later resign from the job.

 

According to tribunal findings, the nurse work several night shifts between March 13 and March 27, 2024. During that period, na she be the only registered nurse on duty, supervising up to four assistants-in-nursing and about 100 elderly residents.

 

The tribunal hear say she fall asleep on duty on six different occasions. Because of that, she fail to properly supervise staff and residents. On three of those nights, some residents no receive their prescribed morphine medication.

 

Evidence also show say Okembunachi tell one assistant-in-nursing make e administer drugs, even though the assistant no get approval to do so.

 

Colleagues raise alarm about her behaviour on March 27, and management suspend her the next day.

 

During the hearing, Okembunachi admit all the allegations and show remorse. She explain say she dey under serious stress from health problems, school pressure and family financial responsibilities. She also admit say accepting night shifts while dealing with all these challenges put patients’ lives at risk.

 

Although the tribunal acknowledge say she honest and sorry for her actions, dem rule say deregistration na the right punishment, stressing say her conduct fit lead to loss of lives.

 

The ruling also bar her from applying for a review of the decision for at least nine months.