LAFAYETTE, La. — It’s Nurses Week, and we go back in time about 10 years to share the story of a mother and son working together to build a strong bond through the profession.
A young man is sitting in class, and a woman walks in and sits down next to him. It’s his mom!! She's taking the same class unbeknownst to him.
And that’s where the Bonner Family Nursing Story begins.
" I’m in college, sitting down in one of my classes and my mom walks in. I'm like, ‘O.K., I'm not failing, I’m out of the house. What's she doing?’ Ledarrius Bonner said. "She registered for college! We're taking classes together, right?"
Patricia Bonner laughs as the memories of that day come flooding back. "I walked in and you should have seen his face. He probably was embarrassed, but we had to do this."
The Bonners, mother and son, survived and thrived. They work together at the Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital as nurses.
Each says the other has set the standard.
“She says after I take care of a patient, she has to follow and live up to my standards because patients think I’m the best?” Ledarrius asks. “It's the same way with her. She's so professional. her knowledge far out dates mine."
Not so fast, his mother says.
“I used to get employee of the month but when he started? That went right out the window!” Patricia laughs with pride.
It's Mrs. Bonner and Mr. Bonner at the hospital; all professional stuff of course. While both highly recommend nursing as a career that is fulfilling, builds relationships, and provides a chance to give back, Patricia wants would-be nurses to get into the profession for the right reasons.
“Don't get into it just for the money. If that's the only reason you're doing it, you will not function well as a nurse. We have an oath to take care of people. We are in this to save live,” offers Patricia.
Apparently this passion for nursing doesn't stop with Ledarrius and his mom, Pat. Ledarrius' wife is also a nurse, and his sister is just finishing up her classes.
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