Introduction: Why Pay Conversations Are Essential to Healthcare Staffing Success
In healthcare staffing today, pay conversations and performance reviews are more important than ever. Whether you’re running a medical or dental practice, keeping your best employees means making sure they feel valued, appreciated, and supported. At The AGA Group, we often hear from employers that they want to avoid turnover. Yet, many overlook one key strategy to keep great staff: having regular, structured performance reviews that include conversations about pay.
Performance reviews and pay conversations are not just about salaries — they are about retention, engagement, and reducing turnover. If you want to stop the revolving door of healthcare staffing in Kansas City and beyond, this strategy needs to be part of your toolkit.
What Happens When Performance Reviews Are Ignored?
Let’s face it — many healthcare workers haven’t had a raise or a review in years. We talk with medical and dental professionals every day, and they share a common concern: they work hard, but no one talks about their future, pay, or growth.
When you avoid reviews and pay conversations:
- Morale suffers.
- Turnover increases.
- Employees feel unappreciated and start looking elsewhere.
- Your reputation as an employer declines.
In contrast, The AGA Group helps healthcare employers prevent turnover by implementing better hiring and retention strategies — and performance reviews are a big part of that.
Performance Reviews and Pay Talks: Why They Matter
Why Employers Should Care About Performance Reviews
Performance reviews and pay conversations give your team clarity about their role, performance, and future. Employees want to know:
- Am I doing well?
- How can I grow?
- Is there a path forward?
If you’re worried about budget constraints, don’t avoid reviews. Instead, focus on career growth and use performance reviews as a way to show you’re invested in your team.
At The AGA Group, we remind healthcare leaders that retaining good employees is cheaper than hiring and training new ones. That’s why we help clients create clear performance management plans, including conversations around compensation.
How to Conduct a Performance Review (and When to Talk About Pay)
1. Set Expectations Early
Don’t let reviews feel like a surprise. Make sure employees know what will be covered, including performance, growth, and compensation conversations.
2. Focus on Achievements and Contributions
Talk about what the employee has accomplished. Are they taking on more responsibility? Have they improved patient care? These are the moments to recognize their value.
3. Have the Pay Conversation — Here’s How
You don’t need to start with pay, but don’t avoid it either. Say something like:
“Let’s talk about how your role has evolved and how we can align compensation with the value you bring to the team.”
Even if an immediate raise isn’t possible, be transparent about how raises are decided and what steps employees can take to get there.
What to Do When Raises Aren’t Possible
Offer Other Value-Adds
If budget constraints are real, consider offering:
- Continuing education support.
- Flexible scheduling.
- Bonuses or incentives tied to performance.
- Additional responsibilities (with a plan to review compensation later).
The AGA Group, as a medical, dental, and healthcare staffing agency in Kansas City, advises clients to offer creative solutions that keep employees motivated when budgets are tight.
The Link Between Performance Reviews and Retention
Performance reviews and pay conversations show employees that you care about their success. This builds trust, engagement, and loyalty. Employees who feel valued are less likely to leave, and The AGA Group sees this firsthand when working with clients.
By using performance reviews to address growth and compensation, you can:
- Reduce turnover
- Build stronger teams
- Improve patient care
- Save money on hiring and training
How The AGA Group Can Help Employers Implement Smarter Retention Strategies
If you’re not sure how to start having performance and pay conversations, The AGA Group can help. As a leading healthcare staffing agency in Kansas City, we support medical and dental practices with:
- Hiring top talent.
- Retention strategies.
- Workforce planning that makes sense for your budget and team.
Our Talent Showcase also gives you access to highly qualified candidates ready to contribute value to your practice.
Final Thoughts: Performance Reviews Are Good for Business
Here’s the truth: Healthcare employees want to stay where they feel valued. Don’t let great employees walk away because of missed opportunities to connect, review performance, and talk about pay.
If you want to reduce turnover and keep your team engaged, performance reviews and pay conversations are not optional — they are essential.
About the Author
Greg Ikner is the President of The AGA Group™, a leading medical, dental, and healthcare staffing agency in Kansas City. With over 45 years of recruiting and workforce solutions experience, Greg and his team help employers find, hire, and retain top healthcare talent. The AGA Group™ is known for its Talent Showcase, helping employers connect with well-vetted candidates who are ready to make an impact.
