Provided herein are a page buffer, a memory device having the page buffer, and a method of operating the memory device. The memory device includes a voltage generator configured to generate operating voltages for operating a plurality of memory cells, a program and verify circuit configured to apply the operating voltages to word lines and bit lines coupled to the memory cells and to perform a program operation and a verify operation, and a program operation controller configured to control the program and verify circuit and the voltage generator so that a bit line precharge operation is performed and so that, when the bit line precharge operation has been completed, a bit line discharge operation is performed.