At age 31, Holden took up nursing along with three of her younger sisters, Laura, Rosamund, and Edith. On 10 June 1874, Holden and Rosamund entered the Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary to train under Lucy Osburn, Nightingale's protégé at the infirmary. Holden often did not get along with her superior [Osburn]. Privately, Osburn wrote:I have no Sisters now I had a body of the name of Fanny Holden, and she cured me of any wish for sisters which I think will last forever! Dreadfully disagreeable she was.On 3 March 1875, Holden, along with four other nurses, two of whom were her sisters, was dismissed as incompetent by Osburn. Upon her dismissal, Holden "objected to go so very strongly Mr Street (the Honorary Secretary) had to come in and discharge her." After her dismissal, she nursed privately for a few months in Sydney.
