An apparatus is provided that includes a memory die having a first memory cell, and a controller connected to the memory die. The controller is configured to apply a plurality of programming pulses to the first memory cell, apply a plurality of first verify pulses to the first memory cell, determine from the first verify pulses that the first memory cell has been programmed to a first programmed memory state, apply a single second verify pulse to the first memory cell after determining that the first memory cell has been programmed to the first programmed memory state, determine from the single second verify pulse that the first memory cell is no longer programmed to the first programmed memory state, and apply an additional programming pulse to the first memory cell.