Looking for freelance or contract work as a registered nurse in Texas? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Texas offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Legal nurse consultants review medical records, provide expert testimony, and consult on medical-legal cases for law firms and insurance companies. Work involves analyzing clinical documentation and communicating findings to legal professionals.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($1,500-$3,000/year)
Texas notes: No significant geographic variation; high volume of cases in Houston/Dallas/San Antonio corridors; Consulting/chart review $100-$175/hr; Testifying expert $200-$350/hr; Deposition $200-$300/hr; TX has high med-mal litigation volume
Typical start timeline: 4-8 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
Texas 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.
Travel nurses work temporary assignments at healthcare facilities across Texas, typically ranging from 8-26 weeks. These positions offer flexibility to choose assignments and locations while maintaining control over scheduling and work frequency.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Texas notes: Houston/Dallas metro standard rates; Rural West TX/Rio Grande +15-25% crisis; Travel RN weekly avg $2,700; Sugar Land max $3,577/week; ICU $55-$80/hr; ER $50-$75/hr; L&D/OR $50-$70/hr; Med-Surg $40-$55/hr; Night shift +15-20%; Weekend +$2-5/hr; Holiday +25-50%
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Clinical research nurses conduct patient assessments, administer study protocols, collect data, and monitor patient safety in research trials. Work involves coordinating with research teams and maintaining detailed documentation of study activities.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Texas notes: Houston (TMC) and Dallas-Fort Worth metro have highest concentration; academic centers pay less but more stable; Research nurse $40-$58/hr; CRC with RN $36-$50/hr; PI-support roles $45-$58/hr; Phase I clinical trials premium +10-15%
Typical start timeline: 3-6 weeks
Case managers and utilization review nurses evaluate patient care needs, coordinate services, and manage healthcare costs for insurance companies and healthcare organizations. Work involves reviewing medical records and communicating with providers and patients.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Texas notes: Mostly remote roles; facility-based in Houston/Dallas may pay 5-10% premium; Remote UR nurse $38-$50/hr; RN Case Manager $42-$55/hr; Aetna/UHG/Cigna remote roles common; TX avg $42/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Telehealth nurses provide virtual patient care, triage, health coaching, and disease management through phone and video platforms. Responsibilities include patient assessment, education, and coordination of care from a remote location.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Texas notes: Remote - minimal geographic variation; TX compact license increases opportunity pool; Triage RN $35-$48/hr; After-hours triage $42-$55/hr; Chronic care mgmt $38-$50/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-3 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for registered nurses in Texas?
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 ($40-$80/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 Texas?
A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Legal Nurse Consulting / Expert Witness ($100-$350/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($35-$145/hr), Utilization Review / Case Management ($38-$55/hr), Telehealth / Telemedicine Nursing ($35-$55/hr).
Q: What Texas license do registered nurses need for freelance work?
A: An active Texas license from Texas 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 AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Per Diem / Travel Nursing typically takes 2-4 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 Texas 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
