An apparatus and method for enhancing read and write sense margin in a memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE), such as but not limited to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) element or a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) element. The RSE has a hard programming direction and an easy programming direction. A write current is applied in either the hard programming direction or the easy programming direction to set the RSE to a selected programmed state. A read circuit subsequently passes a read sense current through the cell in the hard programming direction to sense the selected programmed state of the cell.