From an engineering perspective:
You should get attitude on your primary displays if you go to Attitude (although it may take 30 or so seconds to appear). However, the initial display will be affected by aircaft accelerations (so try to keep this to a minimum during that 30 seconds). I've noticed on the 747-400, for example, that the 30 seconds is extended if you do move about a lot. V/S will also be available in ATT mode.
You will get a compass rose if you enter a heading into the CDU (refer to your whiskey compass for this). You won't get boxes for a position entry, but you will get dashes for a heading entry. Update the heading periodically (to compensate for magnetic variation). The compass rose will only be available in HDG UP displays.
There will be other airplane systems affected in ATTitude mode. I'm sure your airline procedures will guide you in this area.