The time demands of BSN degree programs can be significantly greater than other nursing degree programs. Although both a BSN degree and an ASN degree will get you through the door as a registered nurse, the BSN degree is considered a more advanced nursing degree, as it includes a variety of studies pertaining to more general types of classes in addition to the standard nursing coursework. As with other bachelor's degrees, a BSN program usually takes four years to complete. This can be a detriment to some people, especially older people choosing to go back to school. Such students often must work while pursuing their studies, and they may not have the time during the day to attend a full schedule of classes.
Becoming educated enough to be a nurse is a significant amount of work in itself, as nurses must be trained in a variety of areas, including managing illnesses, checking patients and performing a variety of procedures. Becoming a registered nurse through a BSN degree program requires taking a variety of classes related to nursing, but it also requires the student to take general studies classes as well, including English, history and foreign languages. Studying these extra subjects can be a disadvantage to some people, as their strengths--as well as their interests--might be specific to nursing. In addition, these additional classes add even more time demands to an already heavy course load.
Along with time, money is almost always an accompanying factor when choosing a degree path. BSN degrees often cost more than other nursing degrees because of the extended time required to complete these degree programs. In addition, most BSN degree programs are offered by accredited institutions, which tend to have higher tuition rates than nonaccredited nursing schools.