Background: The relationship between work demands and burnout is complex and it is likely that a number of different variables mediate this relationship. The study had 2 aims: first, to investigate whether there is a relationship between work demands and staff burnout, and, second, to explore whether role identity or self-determination mediates this relationship. Method: Seventy staff completed measures examining burnout, role identity, self-determination, and work demands. Results: A relationship was found between work demands and burnout. Relationships between personal accomplishment, and role identity and self-determination were found. A negative correlation was found between work demands and self-determination. Regression analyses demonstrated that role identity and self-determination did not mediate the relationship between work demands and burnout. Conclusion: Role identity and self-determination were associated with personal accomplishment, which suggest that an individual's view of their work-based role and role-relevant behaviours are important in relation to what they get out of their work. This has implications for training and the design of care roles.