Nurse struck off after repeatedly falling asleep on night shifts

A 25-year-old nurse has been struck off the professional register after falling asleep multiple times during night shifts. Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, who worked at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, failed to administer critical medication to patients while on duty. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled her misconduct severe enough to cancel her registration entirely.

Okembunachi moved to Australia from Nigeria in 2018 and later graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021. While working at the aged care facility, she was also studying medicine at Western Sydney University. Colleagues reported that she suffered from migraines and was under significant stress due to her younger sister’s need for costly scoliosis surgery.

On at least three occasions, she failed to give patients their prescribed morphine because she had fallen asleep. In total, she was found to have slept on the job up to six times during night shifts, putting vulnerable residents at risk. The tribunal also noted an incident where she instructed an assistant to administer Panadol to a patient without proper authorisation, saying, 'It's okay, just give it to him.' After two nurses reported her behaviour, Okembunachi was suspended and later resigned from her position. The tribunal’s decision means she cannot apply for a review of her cancellation for at least nine months.

The ruling prevents Okembunachi from practising as a nurse until further notice. Her case highlights the serious consequences of professional misconduct in healthcare settings. The tribunal’s order remains in effect, with no public record of any appeal as of January 2026.