After the pre-tests (the COVID-19 Disease Perception Scale, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale) , the students were given simulation education for one months.

The control group didn't apply any interference during the study. Participants in the control group continued their routine follow-up.

Expectations regarding the scenario were explained to the participants before the implementation. They were given information about the standard patient. Roles were distributed, and the implementation time of the scenario was announced. Written permission was obtained from students involved in the scenario. The intervention group was given scenario-based education appropriate for the approach to a standard patient with COVID-19. During the implementation of the scenario, the instructor did not interfere with students, and after the feedback, the "show-do" method was used to improve the incorrect skill steps. Two instructors evaluated students' performance on the standard patient simulation as "achieved-failed" and the application was recorded as a pre-test.

This form was created by the researchers following a review of the literature (Collado-Boira et al., 2020; Cervera-Gasch, Gonz ́alez-Chorda ́, & Mena-Tudela, 2020; Kurt, & Dalkıran, 2021; Ulenaers, et al., 2021; Işık, Konuş, & Bakar, 2021) and was evaluated by 3 experts who had a PhD degree in the field, and necessary improvements were made in line with their suggestions. It consists of 14 items in total. This form includes interventions, such as "The mask should be worn before entering the patient room or care area" and "Disposable respiratory and face masks should be removed and discarded after leaving the patient's room or care area and closing the door." The correct application of these interventions was scored with "1 point" and the incorrect application with "0 points". Scores range between 0 and 14. As the scores increase, the accuracy level of the approach to the patient increases, as well.

This scale was developed by Ahorsu et al. (2022), and its Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability studies were performed by Ladikli et al. (2020). The scale has a single factor structure and consists of seven 5-point Likert-type (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree) items. Scores on the scale range between 7 and 35. The higher the score is, the higher the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic is. Cronbach's alpha value of the scale is 0.82 (Ladikli et al., 2020).

This scale was developed by Geniş et al. (2020). It consists of seven items. It has a five-point Likert-type structure and consists of two sub-dimensions. The total score is calculated by summing the scores of the items on the sub-dimension and dividing the results by the number of items on that sub-dimension. This operation yields a value between 1 and 5. High scores on the dangerousness sub-dimension indicate that the perceived dangerousness of the disease is high, and high scores on the contagiousness sub-dimension indicate that the perceived contagiousness of the disease is high. Cronbach's alpha value of the original scale is 0.78 (Geniş et al., 2020).