Symonette Thompson recorded readings of 0.158 and 0.126 in March after police caught her behind the wheel.

The 47-year-old nurse pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday to four charges, including drink-driving, driving while suspended and unlawful assault.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Helen Farmer said on March 2 at 9.40pm, police located the accused parked in the west-bound lane, about one kilometre from the Miners Rest turn-off.

Thompson, who blew more than three times the legal alcohol limit of 0.158, told police she was driving to get dinner but realised she was drunk and decided to sleep it off in her vehicle.

Senior Constable Farmer said Thompson told police she consumed two litres of cask wine over eight hours.

Eight days later on March 10, police stopped Thompson driving while suspended in Learmonth Road, Wendouree. She was transported to the Ballarat Police Station where she blew 0.126.

Senior Constable Farmer said Thompson was intoxicated on May 11 when she unlawfully assaulted her son's partner at the family's Miners Rest home. Thompson hit the victim once to the cheek after swinging at her three times.

Defence lawyer Andrew Madden said his client had struggled with alcohol abuse. He said she started drinking about three-and-a-half years ago when she would go out with young work colleagues.

Mr Madden said the drinking would mask the anxiety Thompson experienced after the birth of her third child. He said Thompson had undertaken three months of alcohol rehabilitation and had regular contact with her doctor.

Mr Madden said given Thompson had been treating her alcohol issues, she should be offered leniency in the way of a fine, good behaviour bond and minimum loss of driver's licence.

"If there is any offending, Ms Thompson can come back to court. This is an unfortunate situation. She has been a law abiding citizen," Mr Madden said.

Magistrate Ron Saines agreed Thompson's behaviour was out of character and she did not have a criminal history.

"Alcohol consumption or abuse doesn't excuse or diminish your conduct. This is conduct which is quite uncharacteristic of you," Mr Saines said.

Thompson was convicted and placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $1500 to the Ballarat court fund.

Her licence was cancelled and she was disqualified from driving for the mandatory minimum period of two years from the date of her first drink-driving offence on March 2.