Basic/Intermediate vs. Paramedic

Hoping to start doing course work toward EMT-1 CERT and was asked the question: do I want to go basic, intermediate, or paramedic?

1) I don't plan on making EMS a career, rather a long-term job until a nursing career gets underway, would basic be a more practical option?
2) I live in a suburban area, isn't ALS primarily for rural areas where access to hospitals is restricted?
3) For most private ambulance service or hospital EMT, is intermediate required?

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-Title Edited
Long day, give me a break hahaha. I'm a newb at this.

Hmm, I'd just go paramedic. It'd look good to any Hospital once you become a nurse, as well as give you 'on the job experience.' Oh, and it probably pays pretty well.
Here's a question for you... should I take MedOc as a freshman? I have half a credit left to do something with.

Most of your questions vary from state to state. But I agree, full paramedic licensing would give you more experience to make you a better nurse. Here in Ohio, Columbus was the first city that required all of its ems/fire to be fully licensed paramedics(actually in the country too). The rest of the state is following suit soon. I don't know what the situation is over there in cali but the more certified you are can. Make you look allot better when job hunting. Also you need emt-B/I to get your medic cert. So why not just go all the way. Most of the guys I know going through school are working partime as Intermediates' outside of the city propper while going to school. Just another rout you could go.

Either way goodluck. Mom just graduated with her RN. Its not easy. Of you smoke, stop before yhou start the degree .

sticks

I would go the Paramedic route, as an EMT you are basicly a High Speed/Low Drag first responder, either way all other schooling is stair steps on the way to your nursing degree.

Regardless of what you choose, I wish you all the best, Nursing is one of the most under rated, unapreciated and most Honorable of Professions that I can think of.

Paramedic would be the wisest of the choices my friend