California licensing with a DUI

For starters, yes. AA meetings will benefit you in many ways.

You should refer yourself to a Professional License Attorney Specialist. There are former Deputy Attorney Generals and Licensing Board Prosecutors who have participated in hundreds of matters involving professional licensing.

Generally speaking, with regard to any inquiry, absent any different approach by someone like your Professional License Attorney Specialist, may I suggest you consider the following:

I do not know what the licensing board looks for, but my guess is an acceptance of full responsibility and rehabilitative success.

I would spend much less time on the facts of the arrest and say:

"The police arrested me for misdemeanor DUI. I accepted responsibility and pled guilty."

I would then move on to total compliance with the terms of probation, with details that also include your new knowledge of the specifics of impairment and your decision and implementation of a vow to not drive with any amount of alcohol in your system.

The entire tone of any explanation may be: "I did it, it was my fault and I'll never do it again. This was a singular indiscretion."

"I learned that it is easy to relax one's standards when not working."

"I know that when I am drinking, my judgment is impaired and my reaction time is slower."

"I know that while driving, I need to be absolutely sober and alert, because I do not want to put others at risk."

...
It is safe to say the Board will look for satisfaction and proof that you addressed alcohol and substance abuse monitors, AA, counseling, testing, etc.

As noted earlier, in 2012 the CA Court of Appeals ruled that any CA nurse can now have her license 'revoked' upon conviction of a FIRST DUI. Another CA court ruled in 2012 that a teacher can also have his certificate revoked upon the FIRST DUI conviction. Knowing this: Is it logical to hope that if you have a DUI prior to applying for a license, that you will be granted a license? Not really. In fact, I suspect you will be facing a shock when you are denied a license, if you graduate. Also, in some states, public urination is now classified as a SEX offense, with resulting sex offender registration. I was convicted of DUI in 2010, and my CA license was spared, just prior to the court of appeals ruling- but I lost my license in other states, and have determined there is no chance of my obtaining a license in other states- this is the new state of the union. In fact, I have written a book of my experience, yet to be published. For those amongst us you who are so pure as the driven snow, here's another bite to ponder: A few states now ask whether you are taking ANY psychoactive meds when you reapply, whether for anxiet, depression, etc.- meaning, a PROZAC Rx can ban you from renewing your license. Yes- the walls are closing in. But again,you might want to take a cold hard look at the new CA laws, to decided whether to continue your nur$ing education.