**Contribution**

The contribution of this research is twofold. Firstly, it has proven that incorrect retention strategies have been used for a long time, and it's imperative each organisation gets their retention policy correct. Secondly, a conceptual model was developed that contributes to theory as well as practice as the model takes into account the relationships and variables of factors that affect retention in the health sector. This model can be adapted to other sectors as well.

Based on the outcomes of the research and information contained therein, it can be stated that not all employees in the health sector are cut from the same cloth, and yes, we have been wasting our time implementing incorrect retention strategies for professionals by assuming everyone can be retained by the same strategy. By understanding how employees think and feel, it shows that employers regard them as an important asset in their organisation.
