Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of perceptions of older adults in the relationship between nursing students’ images of and behaviors toward older adults. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used. Participants were 138 nursing students from one university in Korea. Data were collected from May 7 to June 1, 2025, using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Hayes’ PROCESS macro Model 4. Results: The mean scores were 83.29±10.52 for images of older adults, 48.23±5.97 for perceptions of older adults, and 23.33±4.60 for behaviors toward older adults. Images of older adults showed significant negative correlations with perceptions of (r=-.63, p<.001) and behaviors toward older adults (r=-.38, p<.001). Perceptions of older adults showed a significant positive correlation with behaviors toward older adults (r=.50, p<.001) and fully mediated the relationship between images of and behaviors toward older adults (indirect effect=-.12, 95% confidence interval=-.18 to -.06). Conclusion: The results suggest that nursing students’ behaviors toward older adults are influenced not only by emotional images but also by cognitive perceptions and interpretations of aging. Therefore, nursing education programs should include experience-based and perception-enhancing strategies to promote positive behaviors toward older adults.