Bit line-to-bit line noise is discharged in a NAND string prior to sensing a programming condition of a selected non-volatile storage element in the NAND string. A source voltage is applied which boosts the voltage in conductive NAND strings. The voltage boost results in capacitive coupling of noise to neighboring NAND strings. A current pull down device is used to discharge each NAND string prior to performing sensing. After each NAND string is coupled to a discharge path for a predetermined amount of time, bit lines of the NAND string are coupled to voltage sense components for sensing the programming condition of the selected non-volatile storage elements based on a potential of the bit lines. The selected non-volatile storage elements may have a negative threshold voltage. Further, a word line associated with the selected non-volatile storage elements may be set at ground.