Looking for freelance or contract work as a registered nurse in Illinois? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Illinois offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Nurses review medical records, analyze healthcare standards of care, and provide expert opinions in litigation matters. Work includes case screening, report drafting, and potential testimony regarding nursing care, medication errors, patient safety, and clinical standards.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($1,500-$3,500/year)
Illinois notes: Chicago/Cook County primary litigation market; remote consulting standardized nationwide; Consulting/chart review $100-$200/hr; Testifying expert $225-$375/hr; Deposition $200-$325/hr; Cook County high litigation volume
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Nurses provide expert opinions and clinical consultation to law firms, healthcare organizations, and expert networks on complex medical cases and healthcare matters. Work includes case analysis, report writing, and serving as an expert resource for litigation support and healthcare business consulting.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($2,000-$4,000/year)
Illinois notes: Chicago-area healthcare companies (Abbott/AbbVie/Baxter) drive demand; remote calls location-independent; Expert network calls (GLG/AlphaSights) $75-$250/hr; Pharma advisory boards $150-$300/hr; Health system consulting $75-$200/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
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.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Illinois 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.
Short-term nursing assignments at healthcare facilities covering staffing gaps, typically ranging from a few days to several months. Nurses work directly with patients in clinical settings, providing bedside care across various units and specialties.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer or staffing agency
Illinois notes: Chicago metro highest; Suburban Cook County competitive; Downstate/rural +10-15% crisis premiums; Travel RN avg $2,800/week in IL; ICU $60-$90/hr; ER $55-$82/hr; L&D/OR $52-$78/hr; Med-Surg $42-$60/hr; Night shift +15-20%; Weekend +$2-5/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Nurses evaluate medical necessity, appropriateness of care, and resource utilization for insurance companies or healthcare organizations. Work involves reviewing medical records, communicating with providers, and making recommendations regarding treatment authorization and discharge planning.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Illinois notes: Chicago metro facility-based at top of range; remote roles standard; Remote UR nurse $40-$52/hr; RN Case Manager $45-$58/hr; Major insurers (BCBS IL/Aetna/UHG) active
Typical start timeline: 3-6 weeks
Nurses provide remote patient care, triage, health coaching, and clinical support through virtual platforms. Responsibilities include patient assessment, medication management education, chronic disease management, and coordination of care via phone, video, or secure messaging.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Illinois notes: Remote - no geographic variation; Triage RN $36-$48/hr; After-hours triage $42-$55/hr; Chronic care management $38-$50/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for registered nurses in Illinois?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$375/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks ($75-$300/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for registered nurses don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 1 options don't require malpractice insurance: AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr). This can save $1-$5K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can registered nurses work remotely in Illinois?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$375/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks ($75-$300/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Utilization Review / Case Management ($40-$58/hr), Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing ($36-$55/hr).
Q: What Illinois license do registered nurses need for freelance work?
A: An active Illinois license from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - 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 Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks typically takes 4-12 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.
Folio connects Illinois 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.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
