If reported, near misses – also called “good catches” – present opportunities for healthcare organizations to learn about potential errors, identify system improvements, and improve safety culture. This mixed-methods study including 199 nurses, who worked in COVID-19 units, found that intent to report near misses was high (78%) but follow-through on reporting was low (20%). Qualitative analyses highlight the role that personnel/physical/mental overload, poor departmental organization, and fear of punitive measures play in underreporting near-miss events.