A Nursing and Midwifery Board inquiry has heard that a nurse regularly slept for several hours at night in a staff room while on duty at a nursing home.
Eileen Mary Kiernan was employed as a staff nurse at the Maple Court Nursing Home in Castlepollard, Co Westmeath from October 2002 until July 2013.
Ms Kiernan, also known as Ms Mulligan, failed to attend the inquiry into her conduct by the Nursing Board.
A number of care assistants completed whistleblower forms about her conduct in May 2013.
It is alleged her conduct was ongoing over a number of years.
The 21-bed home has residents whose average age is 75, with many in their 80s and 90s and of varying dependency.
It is alleged that Ms Kiernan failed to assist some residents to the bathroom, or help with regard to continence care, failed to turn residents and made entries in the nursing home notes, purporting to cover the whole night.
It is alleged that when sleeping in the staff room, she would require the lights to be switched off at night, no laundry to be done and ask care assistants to join her in the room.
At night there would normally be one staff nurse and one care assistant on duty.
Details in relation to six residents will be outlined at the inquiry.
The inquiry has heard that when the matter was brought to the attention of Maple Court management, Ms Kiernan allegedly contacted some staff in an intimidating manner.
It is alleged that she texted a former person in charge at the home saying 'bad deeds don't go unpunished'.
It is also alleged she went to the home of another staff member and banged on doors or windows.
The inquiry is into allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance.
The inquiry has heard that in correspondence, Ms Kiernan said she was a good nurse and the allegations were a conspiracy.
She said she had an eye problem which required drops and this may have been misinterpreted as sleeping.
Ms Kiernan is not legally represented at the hearing.
The inquiry has heard that she previously indicated she hoped to attend, if her health held up.
The inquiry was told that in previous communication with lawyers for the Nursing Board, Ms Kiernan said she was not in a position to hire a solicitor.
She was suspended on pay from the home after the alleged incidents and the matter was reported to the Nursing Board.
Caroline Day, who was Director of Nursing at Maple Court, told the inquiry that it is unacceptable for a nurse to sleep at night while on duty.
She said it was a form of abuse, as it was an act of omission or neglect.
Ms Day said that at the nursing home, residents would need to be checked every two hours.
She said they may have bed sores and require repositioning, need assistance to go to the bathroom, or be at risk of falling.
Ms Day said a number of staff felt uncomfortable working with Ms Kiernan, as she slept at night while on duty.
The inquiry is scheduled to last two days.
