diff --git a/bin/rqworker b/bin/rqworker
index 2d0c712..b877815 100755
--- a/bin/rqworker
+++ b/bin/rqworker
@@ -64,10 +64,7 @@ def main():
         queues = map(Queue, args)
 
     w = Worker(queues, name=opts.name)
-    if opts.burst:
-        w.work_burst()
-    else:
-        w.work()
+    w.work(burst=opts.burst)
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     main()
diff --git a/rq/worker.py b/rq/worker.py
index f9d67e7..dbc8943 100644
--- a/rq/worker.py
+++ b/rq/worker.py
@@ -219,8 +219,14 @@ class Worker(object):
         signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, request_stop)
 
 
-    def _work(self, quit_when_done=False):
-        """This method starts the work loop.
+    def work(self, burst=False):
+        """Starts the work loop.
+
+        Pops and performs all jobs on the current list of queues.  When all
+        queues are empty, block and wait for new jobs to arrive on any of the
+        queues, unless `burst` is True.
+
+        The return value indicates whether any jobs were processed.
         """
         self._install_signal_handlers()
 
@@ -236,7 +242,7 @@ class Worker(object):
                 qnames = self.queue_names()
                 self.procline('Listening on %s' % (','.join(qnames)))
                 self.log.info('*** Listening for work on %s' % (', '.join(qnames)))
-                wait_for_job = not quit_when_done
+                wait_for_job = not burst
                 job = Queue.dequeue_any(self.queues, wait_for_job)
                 if job is None:
                     break
@@ -250,21 +256,6 @@ class Worker(object):
                 self.register_death()
         return did_work
 
-    def work(self):
-        """Pop and perform all jobs on the current list of queues.  When all
-        queues are empty, block and wait for new jobs to arrive on any of the
-        queues.
-        """
-        self._work(False)
-
-    def work_burst(self):
-        """Pop and perform all jobs on the current list of queues.  When all
-        queues are empty, return.
-
-        The return value indicates whether any jobs were processed.
-        """
-        return self._work(True)
-
     def fork_and_perform_job(self, job):
         child_pid = os.fork()
         if child_pid == 0:
diff --git a/tests/test_rq.py b/tests/test_rq.py
index 5463c9d..38abb70 100644
--- a/tests/test_rq.py
+++ b/tests/test_rq.py
@@ -139,10 +139,10 @@ class TestWorker(RQTestCase):
         """Worker processes work, then quits."""
         fooq, barq = Queue('foo'), Queue('bar')
         w = Worker([fooq, barq])
-        self.assertEquals(w.work_burst(), False, 'Did not expect any work on the queue.')
+        self.assertEquals(w.work(burst=True), False, 'Did not expect any work on the queue.')
 
         fooq.enqueue(testjob, name='Frank')
-        self.assertEquals(w.work_burst(), True, 'Expected at least some work done.')
+        self.assertEquals(w.work(burst=True), True, 'Expected at least some work done.')
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':