Looking for freelance or contract work as a registered nurse in New York? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, New York offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Legal nurse consultants review medical records, analyze standards of care, and provide expert opinions for attorneys in cases like medical malpractice or personal injury. They may prepare reports, assist in case preparation, and serve as expert witnesses by testifying in depositions or trials. This freelance role bridges nursing expertise with legal proceedings.[1][2][7]
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($500-$2000/year)
New York notes: NYC metro firms may pay higher retainers; no major variation for remote consulting; Consulting/chart review $125-$200/hr; Testifying expert $275-$400/hr; Deposition $250-$350/hr; NYC med-mal cases command premium
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Healthcare consultants advise on nursing standards, operations, compliance, or policy for firms, hospitals, or legal teams. Expert networks connect nurses to provide paid insights or opinions on cases via calls or reviews. Freelancers join platforms for short-term consultations.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($700-$2200/year)
New York notes: NYC proximity to major consulting firms and pharma HQs drives premium; remote calls are location-independent; Expert network calls (GLG/AlphaSights/Guidepoint) $100-$300/hr; Pharma advisory boards $200-$350/hr; Health system consulting $100-$250/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 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
New York 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.
Per diem nursing involves working short-term shifts at hospitals or facilities on an as-needed basis to cover staffing shortages. Travel nursing requires temporary contracts, often 8-13 weeks, at various locations, sometimes out-of-state, providing flexibility in assignments. Registered Nurses handle patient care, assessments, and treatments similar to staff roles but with higher pay for availability.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
New York notes: NYC metro highest ($75-$120/hr); NYC Health + Hospitals travel $4,307-$4,900/week; Upstate/rural +15-20% crisis premiums; Long Island premium rates; ICU $70-$120/hr; ER $65-$100/hr; L&D/OR $65-$95/hr; Med-Surg $55-$75/hr; Night shift +15-20%; Weekend differential +$3-8/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Utilization review nurses assess medical necessity of treatments and ensure compliance with insurance guidelines by reviewing charts and authorizations. Case management involves coordinating patient care plans, resources, and transitions across healthcare settings. Freelancers often work with insurers or hospitals on a contract basis.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($800-$2500/year)
New York notes: NYC metro facility-based roles at top of range; remote roles more standardized; Remote UR nurse $45-$60/hr; RN Case Manager $50-$70/hr; NY has strong insurer presence (Aetna/Empire/Oscar); Oscar UR physician reviewer $100+/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Telehealth nurses provide virtual patient consultations, triage symptoms, educate on care, and monitor chronic conditions via phone or video. They assess urgent needs and coordinate follow-up care remotely. Freelancers contract with telehealth platforms or clinics for flexible shifts.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($600-$1800/year)
New York notes: Remote - no geographic variation; NY license required for NY patients; Triage RN $40-$55/hr; After-hours/night triage $48-$60/hr; Chronic care management $42-$55/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for registered nurses in New York?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($125-$400/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks ($100-$350/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 New York?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($125-$400/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks ($100-$350/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Utilization Review / Case Management ($45-$70/hr), Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing ($40-$60/hr).
Q: What New York license do registered nurses need for freelance work?
A: An active New York license from New York State Education Department Office of the Professions 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 2-6 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Expert Networks typically takes 2-6 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.
Folio connects New York 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
