Andrea Johnson/MDN Trinity educators, managers and others from Trinity and Minot Mayor Sean Sipma congratulated graduates of Trinity Health’s Nurse Residency Program during a drive-through graduation ceremony at Minot’s Oak Park on Tuesday.

Neither COVID-19 nor thunderstorms and rain showers could stop educators, managers and others from Trinity from congratulating graduates of Trinity Health’s Nurse Residency Program on Tuesday.

The newly minted nurses were honored with a drive-through ceremony at Minot’s Oak Park on Tuesday morning.

Cars drove slowly through the park, accompanied by hoots and hollers of congratulations and waving signs along the park path. Dark clouds loomed and rain sprinkled, but it didn’t dim anyone’s enthusiasm.

According to information provided by Trinity, nurse residents also received a graduation pin, certificate, and gift bag while they remained in their vehicles.

Congratulatory signs were placed throughout the park and, according to Trinity, a prerecorded message was transmitted that graduates could listen to on their car radios as they drove through the park.

The Trinity Health Nurse Residency is a mentoring program that supports new RNs in a comprehensive learning environment to promote nursing excellence and help meet the demand for nurses in the region, according to Trinity.

Drive-through graduation ceremonies have become more common due to the social distancing restrictions required by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.