Introduction COVID-19 has not only affected the physical health of people but it has also had a major impact on their mental health. Objective To investigate the nursing, midwifery, and operating room students’ mental health and intention to leave during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the nursing and midwifery school of Tabriz, Iran. Over a period of three months (February–May 2021) and through random sampling, 284 students were selected. The research tool consisted of three parts including demographic information, Depression Anxiety Stress scales, and a questionnaire on intention to leave. Results More than 20% of the students experienced some degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress. Nearly one-third of participants mentioned a high level of intention to leave. Nursing students had a higher level of a turnover tendency than other students ( p = .004). Male students and who experienced moderate to high level of depression displayed greater intention to leave ( p = .005). Conclusion Students suffered from some degrees of stress, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19, and it strengthened the participants’ intention to leave. Relevant authorities are recommended to improve mental health of the students by providing psychological counseling sessions, reducing their direct contact with patients, and providing personal protective equipment.