Registered nurses, interns, and residents from five hospitals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey were administered the Maslach Human Services Survey, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Rotter's Locus of Control Scale, Newman's Alpha Omega Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Results strongly suggested that an individual with high self-esteem and internal locus of control, who uses a High Bargaining-Low Anger Profile (as measured on the Alpha Omega Scale) regarding death and dying situations is less likely to experience burnout. Conversely, an individual who has low self-esteem, is more externally controlled and does not utilize any set coping style regarding death and dying situations is more prone to burnout. Nurses were experiencing a moderate degree of burnout. Interns and residents, a mostly male group, demonstrated more depersonalization. Six distinct profiles were determined by factor profile analysis on the Alpha Omega subscales--denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Frequency, rather than intensity of stress, was the contributing factor in burnout. Factors related to death and dying and hospital organization and administration also contributed to burnout. (RR)