Nicole studied medicine in Paris from 1896 and in 1899 married André Girard, whose family had a vineyard that produced Champagne in Saumur. They had one son – Etienne. Nicole worked with her husband producing champagne until they divorced in 1903 and Nicole went back to studying medicine, writing her Thesis on carcinogenic toxins. In 1910, she represented France at the Congress of Vienna with Albert Robin. In 1914 Nicole opened a TB clinic in Beajon, researching into cancer as well as TB.
Verdun did not remain a peaceful outpost for long! On 21st February 1916 when Verdun came under heavy shelling, Nicole was wounded slightly in the face but headed the convoy taking the wounded to safety. In December 1916, Nicole was promoted to the rank of Major and was posted to Paris where she was in charge of the Edith Cavell Hospital in rue Desnouettes.
After the
war, Nicole joined the Red Cross and travelled around giving talks on the role
of women during the First World War.
She died in Paris of an overdose on 6th June 1919, having
never received any medals, awards or recognition for her war service.