Nolan was appointed a lecturer at the
University of Glasgow in 1989 Nolan further pursued advanced clinical training, and received a diploma from the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as recognition from the European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia. In 1999, she was appointed dean of the
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the first female dean at the university and the first woman to lead a British vet school. In her new role, Nolan had particular responsibility for restructuring the university's nine faculties into four new colleges.
Principal and vice chancellor Nolan was appointed principal and vice chancellor of
Edinburgh Napier University in 2013, succeeding Dame
Joan Stringer to the post, and announced plans for a new university strategy for 2014–2019. She remained in post until December 2024 when she was succeeded by Professor
Sue Rigby. ==Other roles==