New RN Grad's First Job - $23/hr. Is this a rip off?

thank you all for the comments/advice/response to my question. i did ask my schoolmates that i graduated with (last MAY)-- they are now getting jobs too. there was a hiring freeze in chicago and it was very difficult to find jobs a couple months ago. now, i see a lot more openings. anyway, from what i gather, $23/hr is indeed lower than most pay rates in this area. the nursing home where i work at is in the northside of chicago. anyway, i stuck it out, bought a good pair of shoes, compression socks and all. it helped a little and i got to know the residents in the nursing home so i've been working a little faster. here comes the good news: i got a job offer at a hospital. better pay, better benefits, better hours and better potential for experience. i've accepted it and will be starting in 2 weeks. i have a lot of guilt for leaving my current job since i feel that they have trusted me and given me the opportunity to start my career as a new RN but i have to think of what is best for me in the end.
again, thanks to all!

hi jan_angel, most of my schoolmates/friends started with $25-26/hr at nursing homes in chicago area, hospitals start at $26-27, i heard. my nursing home started me on $23/hr w/ benefits (7 paid vacation days per yr, paid holidays, option for health and life insurance). as i work at the nursing home, i found out that some of the nurses there actually have not received a raise in 2 yrs, their rates are higher than mine (because of their experience, i bet), and if you work nights, you won't get night differential, if you work past your designated time- you won't get paid for that either. so, if you get an admission 10 mins before you punch out, you're basically working for free. they won't assign that admission to another nurse because you are the only nurse on the floor.
this new job, starts with $27/hr w/benefits (28!!!! paid vacation days per year, tuition for school, options for a variety of insurances you can have, PLUS night differential of $3-6/hr depending on the hour, PLUS $2/hr if you are working on a weekend). it sounds great...but it's really not ALL ABOUT the money, i think the best value is the fact that i have great potential to learn more and experience more in this hospital. i was feeling so dejected working at that nursing home coz i spent most of my time giving meds and not enough assessment and and of course, it didn't help to know that i was getting paid a lot less than my friends that i graduated with. this new job is a dream-- i can't wait to start orientation next week. i'm sure it won't be perfect but i'm sure it's a lot better than what i have now.
good luck with your schooling. i hope my reply to your q helps a little i am a new RN and i'm still in a very awkward state, learning the ropes and all-- but so far, i have to say that i am glad i went into nursing. i get this wonderful feeling whenever i see my patients feeling better today than yesterday.

hi jan_angel, it's my second career as well-- i was earning around $22/hr while sitting in an office all day. i decided to scrap it and start from scratch to go into nursing. i know i made the right decision.
good luck to you and i hope you do well in whatever you decide to do.
thanks!