Compare high-paying freelance options for Florida registered nurses: locums, telemedicine, AI training, consulting. Real pay ranges, requirements, and how to start.

TL;DR

Looking for freelance or contract work as a registered nurse in Florida? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Florida offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.

1.

Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness

$100-$350/hr

What You'll Do

Legal nurse consultants review medical records, provide expert testimony, and consult on medical-legal cases for law firms and insurance companies. This work involves analyzing clinical documentation, identifying standard-of-care issues, and preparing reports or depositions related to medical malpractice, personal injury, or workers' compensation cases. The role requires strong clinical knowledge and the ability to communicate complex medical information to non-medical audiences.

Requirements

  • Active Florida RN license
  • Minimum 5-10 years clinical nursing experience
  • Specialized training or certification in legal nurse consulting (LNCC preferred)
  • Strong documentation and communication skills
  • Understanding of medical-legal standards and healthcare regulations

Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($1,500-$3,000/year)

Where to Find Work

  • LegalNurse.com
  • SEAK Directory
  • ExpertInstitute
  • JurisPro FL profiles

Florida notes: Major litigation markets in Miami/Jacksonville/Tampa; no geographic premium for remote review; Consulting/chart review $100-$175/hr; Testifying expert $200-$350/hr; Deposition $200-$300/hr; High personal injury litigation market
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

2.

Medical Writing / Content Creation

$75-$175/hr

What You'll Do

Medical writing nurses create clinical content, educational materials, and healthcare communications for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, and digital health platforms. This work involves translating complex clinical information into clear, accurate content for various audiences including healthcare professionals and patients. Positions may include developing case studies, clinical summaries, patient education materials, or regulatory documentation.

Requirements

  • Active Florida RN license
  • Minimum 3-5 years clinical nursing experience
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical concepts
  • Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance standards
  • Portfolio of writing samples preferred

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • EPM Scientific
  • EFA rate survey
  • AMWA
  • Indeed

Florida notes: Remote - no geographic variation; CME content $90-$150/hr; Regulatory writing $100-$175/hr; Patient education $75-$120/hr; Editing $50-$80/hr
Typical start timeline: 3-6 weeks

3.

AI Training & Annotation

$35-$145/hr

What You'll Do

Healthcare AI companies hire registered nurse professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves nursing protocol and patient assessment ai training — tasks like nursing assessment validation, care plan review, patient education content.

Requirements

  • Active clinical background in registered nurse
  • No malpractice insurance needed
  • Computer with reliable internet

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Folio (folioworks.com)
  • Centaur Labs
  • Appen
  • Labelbox

Florida notes: Fully remote — available regardless of state. Pay based on specialty expertise, not location.
Typical start timeline: 1-2 weeks

Getting started: Join the expert community and make a free profile on Folio to browse current registered nurse AI training projects.

4.

Per Diem / Travel Nursing

$38-$75/hr

What You'll Do

Per diem and travel nursing positions involve short-term assignments at healthcare facilities, typically lasting 8-13 weeks, where nurses work flexible schedules to fill staffing gaps. Travel nurses may relocate temporarily or work locally, with assignments spanning various specialties including emergency room, labor and delivery, and medical-surgical units. These positions offer higher hourly rates compared to permanent positions, with weekly pay ranging from $1,371 to $2,895.

Requirements

  • Active Florida RN license
  • Current CPR certification
  • Minimum 1-2 years clinical experience (varies by specialty)
  • Valid passport for travel assignments
  • Background check and drug screening

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Indeed
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Vivian Health
  • Voyage Healthcare
  • Nursa

Florida notes: South FL (Miami/Fort Lauderdale) highest; Orlando/Tampa mid-range; Rural/Panhandle lower base but crisis premiums; Travel RN avg ~$36/hr (one of lowest states); ICU $50-$75/hr; ER $48-$70/hr; L&D/OR $45-$65/hr; Med-Surg $38-$55/hr; Night shift +15%; Weekend +$2-4/hr; Hurricane/crisis surge +50-100%
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

5.

Utilization Review / Case Management

$35-$52/hr

What You'll Do

Utilization review and case management nurses assess patient needs, coordinate care plans, and manage insurance authorization and discharge planning. These roles involve reviewing medical records, communicating with healthcare providers and patients, and ensuring appropriate resource allocation and compliance with insurance guidelines. Remote positions are common in this field, with responsibilities including care coordination and clinical decision support.

Requirements

  • Active Florida RN license
  • Minimum 1-3 years nursing experience
  • Case management certification (CCM) or utilization review certification preferred
  • Knowledge of insurance, billing, and healthcare regulations
  • Strong communication and organizational skills

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • ZipRecruiter
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Vivian Health

Florida notes: Remote roles dominant; South FL facility-based roles may pay 5-10% premium; Remote UR nurse $35-$48/hr; RN Case Manager $40-$52/hr; FL has large insurer/managed care presence
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks

6.

Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing

$33-$52/hr

What You'll Do

Telehealth nurses provide virtual patient support services, conduct remote assessments, and deliver care coordination through digital platforms. Responsibilities include patient education, symptom triage, medication management support, and care navigation, all conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging. These positions offer flexibility and work-from-home arrangements with structured schedules.

Requirements

  • Active Florida RN license
  • Minimum 1-2 years clinical nursing experience
  • Proficiency with electronic health records and telehealth platforms
  • Clear communication skills and professional demeanor
  • Quiet, professional home workspace
  • Intermediate to advanced typing skills

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Salary.com
  • PayScale
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Indeed

Florida notes: Remote - no geographic variation; FL compact license state increases remote opportunities; Triage RN $33-$45/hr; After-hours triage $40-$52/hr; Chronic care management $35-$48/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-3 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for registered nurses in Florida?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$350/hr), Medical Writing / Content Creation ($75-$175/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr).

Q: Which freelance options for registered nurses don't require malpractice insurance?

A: 2 options don't require malpractice insurance: Medical Writing / Content Creation ($75-$175/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr). This can save $1-$5K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can registered nurses work remotely in Florida?

A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$350/hr), Medical Writing / Content Creation ($75-$175/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Utilization Review / Case Management ($35-$52/hr), Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing ($33-$52/hr).

Q: What Florida license do registered nurses need for freelance work?

A: An active Florida license from Florida Board of Nursing is required for most clinical freelance options.

Q: How quickly can registered nurses start freelance work?

A: Timeline varies by option: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness typically takes 4-8 weeks, while Medical Writing / Content Creation typically takes 3-6 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Q: What's the pay range for registered nurses doing AI training work?

A: AI training pays $35-$145/hour for registered nurses, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Florida registered nurses with frontier research labs and healthcare AI companies looking for clinical expertise. The platform vets AI companies for project quality, handles contracting and payment, and matches projects to your area of expertise.

Typical timeline:
- Application: 3 minutes
- Credential review: 2-3 business days
- Platform orientation: 1 hour
- First project: 3-7 days from application

Current project focus (February 2026): Nursing assessment validation, care plan review, patient education content

Most registered nurses start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.

Explore AI Training Opportunities

Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com

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Frequently asked questions

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How do I get started with freelance registered nurse work in Florida?