Nurse, husband, father, and a writer because of a promise
Roy Slootheer spent his career caring for patients. In 2012 he found himself in the chair next to the hospital bed, caring for his own wife. This is how a nurse became an author.
——— ROY’S STORY
How a nurse became an author
1995
ER
2012
2020
NOW
From the Netherlands to Iowa
Roy grew up in the Netherlands. In 1995 he moved to Iowa, where he met Rebecca, Becky to everyone who knew her. Together they raised two sons.
From the emergency room to family practice
Roy studied psychology at Ashford University and nursing at Graceland University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree. He worked as an ER nurse and is now a Family Nurse Practitioner in Oklahoma.
The other side of the hospital bed
A cough that would not go away led to a diagnosis nobody expected: stage four lung cancer. Roy knew the hospital from the inside. Now he saw it as a husband, reading every study he could find and trying to keep life normal for their sons.
Keeping the promise
During her treatment, Becky asked Roy to write their story. Broken Glass was published in May 2020. Part of every book sold goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society and Feed the Poor.
Two new books
Writing Broken Glass showed Roy how much he loves to write. He is now working on a nonfiction book about grief and loss, and on a novel.
“
Promise me you will write our story.
Becky, to Roy, during her treatment in 2012
EDUCATION
Psychology
Bachelor’s degree, Ashford University
EDUCATION
Nursing
Bachelor’s and master’s degree, Graceland University
TODAY
Family Nurse Practitioner
Caring for patients in Oklahoma