Defend why nurses are, or are not, adequately prepared, in prelicensure education, to act as patient advocates. 

Nurses are adequately prepared in prelicensure education to act as patient advocates. Nursing curriculums often include courses on ethics, communication, and critical thinking which equip nurses with the skills necessary for effective advocacy. Additionally, many nursing programs incorporate experiential learning opportunities such as simulations or clinical rotations which help nurses become familiar with advocating for patients in a real-world setting. Finally, nurses also have access to professional organizations or associations that provide additional resources and guidance on how to effectively advocate for their patients. All of these factors combined enable nurses to be adequately prepared to act as patient advocates when they enter the workforce.