One embodiment of a nonvolatile memory cell comprises a substrate having a surface, a bidirectional current switch comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a semiconductor layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a magnetoresistive element having a direct contact with the bidirectional current switch and comprising a free ferromagnetic layer having a reversible magnetization direction, a pinned ferromagnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, and a tunnel barrier layer disposed between the free and pinned ferromagnetic layers, wherein the magnetization direction of the free ferromagnetic layer is reversed by a bidirectional spin polarized current running through the magnetoresitive element in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface, and wherein a magnitude of the spin polarized current is controlled by the bidirectional current switch. Other embodiments are described and shown.