Looking for freelance or contract work as a registered nurse in Ohio? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Ohio offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Legal nurse consultants review medical records, provide expert analysis for legal cases, and assist attorneys in understanding healthcare issues. As an expert witness, RNs testify in court on nursing standards and case specifics. These freelance roles leverage clinical expertise for litigation support, often remotely.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($500-$1500/year)
Ohio notes: Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati primary litigation markets; remote consulting standardized; Consulting/chart review $100-$175/hr; Testifying expert $200-$350/hr; Deposition $200-$300/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
Ohio 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 short-term, as-needed shifts at healthcare facilities in Ohio, filling staffing gaps with flexible assignments. Travel nursing requires RNs to take temporary contracts at various hospitals or clinics across the state or region, often lasting weeks to months. These freelance roles allow nurses to choose shifts or assignments based on availability and location preferences.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Ohio notes: Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati metro standard rates; Rural Appalachian OH +15-25% crisis premiums; State BLS avg $41.40/hr staff; ICU $50-$72/hr; ER $48-$68/hr; L&D/OR $45-$65/hr; Med-Surg $38-$55/hr; Night shift +15%; Weekend +$2-4/hr; Per diem mobile chronic disease $350/day (~$39-44/hr)
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Clinical research nurses screen and enroll participants, administer study protocols, monitor adverse events, and collect data for trials. They ensure compliance with regulations in Ohio-based research sites or remotely. Freelance contracts support pharmaceutical or academic studies.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Ohio notes: Cleveland and Columbus academic medical centers drive demand; Cincinnati Children's for pediatric research; Research nurse $38-$52/hr; CRC with RN $34-$46/hr; Cleveland Clinic/OSU Wexner research centers pay at top of range
Typical start timeline: 6-12 weeks
Utilization review nurses assess patient care necessity, insurance coverage, and treatment efficiency for healthcare payers or providers. Case management involves coordinating patient care plans, resources, and transitions across settings. These freelance opportunities focus on optimizing outcomes and costs remotely.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($400-$1200/year)
Ohio notes: Remote roles dominant; Cleveland/Columbus facility-based at top of range; Remote UR nurse $35-$45/hr; RN Case Manager $38-$50/hr; Major health systems (Cleveland Clinic/OhioHealth/UC Health) employ many
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Telehealth nurses conduct virtual patient assessments, triage symptoms, provide education, and manage chronic conditions via video or phone. They coordinate with providers for remote care delivery in Ohio. Freelance roles offer on-call or scheduled shifts from home.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($300-$1000/year)
Ohio notes: Remote - no geographic variation; OH compact license state; Triage RN $33-$42/hr; After-hours triage $38-$50/hr; Chronic care management $35-$45/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for registered nurses in Ohio?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$350/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Per Diem / Travel Nursing ($38-$72/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 Ohio?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$350/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Clinical Research Nursing ($34-$52/hr), Utilization Review / Case Management ($35-$50/hr), Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing ($33-$50/hr).
Q: What Ohio license do registered nurses need for freelance work?
A: An active Ohio license from Ohio 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 2-6 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Per Diem / Travel Nursing typically takes 1-4 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 Ohio 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
