I was very interested in "RN Education: Readers Respond" (May 2004). Ironically, I received this issue the day after returning home from the hospital for surgery. During my recovery, I had severe back pain and received patient-controlled analgesia. The nurses asked me about pain every time they checked vital signs, but the pain persisted. Much later, a nurse suggested that a hot pack might help. It did, and I still thank her for her caring suggestion.

My point is this: Whatever level of training you have, please don't forget the basics in bedside nursing. A great nurse is created in these "small" things, not in the number of letters after her name.

-MARYLOU FREUND, LPN

Morrisville, Pa.