diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ee81056..f96fdae 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -183,13 +183,19 @@ also known as namespace in some environments.
 
 ```
 Type:           string
-Valid values:   comma-separated list of key=value session properties
+Valid values:   semicolon-separated list of key:value session properties (e.g. key1:value1;key2:value2)
 Default:        empty
 ```
 
 The `session_properties` parameter must contain valid parameters accepted by
 the Trino server. Run `SHOW SESSION` in Trino to get the current list.
 
+Example:
+
+```
+session_properties=query_max_run_time:2s;query_priority:1
+```
+
 ##### `custom_client`
 
 ```
@@ -256,7 +262,7 @@ http://user@localhost:8080?source=hello&catalog=default&schema=foobar
 ```
 
 ```
-https://user@localhost:8443?session_properties=query_max_run_time=10m,query_priority=2
+https://user@localhost:8443?session_properties=query_max_run_time:10m;query_priority:2
 ```
 
 ## Data types
diff --git a/trino/integration_test.go b/trino/integration_test.go
index a871cab..9c85519 100644
--- a/trino/integration_test.go
+++ b/trino/integration_test.go
@@ -349,6 +349,23 @@ func waitForContainerHealth(containerID, containerName string) {
 	}
 }
 
+func waitForTrinoReady(t *testing.T, db *sql.DB) {
+	if err := pool.Retry(func() error {
+		row := db.QueryRow("SELECT count(*) FROM system.runtime.nodes WHERE state = 'active'")
+		var count int
+		if row.Scan(&count) != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to query nodes: %v", row.Err())
+			return errors.New("Not ready")
+		}
+		if count > 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return errors.New("Not ready")
+	}); err != nil {
+		log.Fatal("Timed out waiting for Trino to be ready")
+	}
+}
+
 func generateCerts(dir string) error {
 	priv, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 2048)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -474,6 +491,7 @@ func integrationOpen(t *testing.T, dsn ...string) *sql.DB {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	waitForTrinoReady(t, db)
 	return db
 }